Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday 24 October 1989

Home Department

Police (Initiation Rites)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many policemen have been dismissed because of their involvement with initiation rites;(2) how many policemen have had disciplinary action taken against them because of their involvement with initiation rites.

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is collected by his Department regarding the prevalence of initiation rites in the police forces.

No such information is being collected. It is the responsibility of chief officers of police to maintain discipline within their forces, and to investigate and deal with, severely if necessary, allegations of misconduct by their officers.

Electronic Tagging

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to ensure that private firms will be publicly answerable for their role in the penal system in relation to electronic tagging; what controls are envisaged with respect to subcontracting by Government contractors; and if he will make a statement.

United Kingdom imports of pistons and piston rings for diesel engines
Pistons suitable for use solely or principally with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (ie diesel or semi-diesel engines)
(Code no. 84069910 (1986,87), 840999001 (1988,89))
	1986	1987	1988	1988	1989
				January-July	January-July
United Kingdom Imports
Volume (tonnes)	814·6	1,370·5	2,088·4	1,272·1	2,126·9
Value (£ million)	5·5	6·7	9·2	5·6	6·7

Piston rings suitable for use solely or principally with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (ie diesel or semi-diesel engines)
(Code no. 84069920 (1986,87) 84099903 (1988,89))
	1986	1987	1988	1988	1989
				January-July	January-July
United Kingdom Imports
Volume (tonnes)	269·9	371·3	459·7	266·5	244·4
Value (£ million)	3·1	3·8	4·7	2·9	2·2

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

Consumers' Rights

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to introduce legislation giving a legal right to customers who have purchased an article which cannot be satisfactorily repaired to have a refund or replacement from the supplier.

Contracts have been awarded to two companies to operate experimental trials of electronic monitoring in three areas. The companies are accountable to the Home Office for their performance of those contracts, which permit the use of subcontractors only with the Home Office's prior approval.

Departmental Staff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the numbers, by grades, employed by his Department on 30 September who were (a) permanent staff, part-time counting as one, (b) permanent part-time staff and (c) casual staff.

The total number of non-industrial staff in post on 23 October 1989 was 41,130, of whom 1,813 were part-time. I shall write to the hon. Member with a breakdown of this total by grade. Information for 30 September 1989 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the numbers of casual staff recruited by the Department is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Trade And Industry

Pistons (Imports)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his estimate is during the last three years of the level of imports in money and volume terms of pistons and piston rings for diesel engines; and what percentage of the United Kingdom market is covered by such imports.

Figures for imports are shown in the table. However, figures for the United Kingdom market for these products are not available.

The Sale of Goods Act 1979 already provides adequate protection in these circumstances: if the consumer acts within a reasonable time, he can reject goods which are not of merchantable quality; after acceptance, the consumer is still entitled to claim damages. The Government intend to implement changes recommended by the Law Commissions (Cm. 137) which will clarify consumers' rights, in particular by replacing the present requirement of "merchantable quality" with a more up-to-date definition.

Shipbuilding

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) to which shipbuilding yards in the United Kingdom his Department would recommend a ship owner or broker to direct an inquiry for a series of 25,000 tonnes bulk carriers;(2) to which shipbuilding yards in the United Kingdom his Department would recommend a ship owner or broker to direct an inquiry for a series of 15,000 tonnes mixed cargo vessels.

If any such inquiry were to be received by my Department, the inquirer would be advised of a number of yards who could build the relevant ships. The placing of orders would of course be a commercial matter for the ship owner or broker and the shipbuilder.

Refrigerators

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to ensure that refrigerators are sold with accurate thermometers and that the refrigerators are set to adequate temperatures to ensure proper storage of food; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have no plans at present to introduce legislation requiring the manufacture of domestic refrigerators with thermometers. All domestic refrigerators currently on the market with BEAB approval can meet the temperatures required to ensure the proper storage of food. The position regarding commercial refrigeration is being considered in the context of the revision food hygiene regulations and is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Health.

Industry Council

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Industry Council held on 26 September.

The Council, at which I represented the United Kingdom, discussed a Commission proposal on the restructuring of the Italian steel industry and the present EC/US steel negotiations. A statement was also made by the Commission on the current state of the steel market. A draft resolution, setting out a programme for improving conditions for sub-contractors in the Community, was agreed by the Council. Discussion also took place on the Community's handicraft industry and there was a Commission presentation on the current proposal to extend the life of pharmaceutical patents.

German Democratic Republic (Imports)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list those goods and products from the German Democratic Republic which are allowed to be imported into (a) the European Economic Community and (b) the Federal Republic of Germany free from tariff.

[holding answer 23 October 1989]: The European Community's common external tariff applies to all goods from the German Democratic Republic (GDR). There are special arrangements for trade between the GDR and the Federal Republic under which authorised imports originating in the GDR are permitted duty-free entry into the Federal Republic. Goods on a list comprising most industrial categories may be traded between the GDR and the Federal Republic free of import duty and other restrictions. Re-exported goods are not automatically subject to import duties in other member states. Under the EC treaty's protocol on inner German trade, member states are able to take safeguard action against GDR goods entering their territory via the Federal Republic. If there are specific complaints about the entry of GDR goods into the United Kingdom by this route they should be made known to the DTI and FCO who regularly review this question with the Ministry of Economics in Bonn.

Wales

Health Service

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new hospitals have been opened in each year since 1970 in Wales.

Ten new hospitals have been opened in Wales since 1970. Their names and years of opening are shown in the table:

1970—Bryn-y-Neuadd
1971—University Hospital of Wales
1978—Prince Charles Hospital
—Withybush Hospital
1980—Ysbyty Glan Clwyd
1984—Ysbyty Gwynedd
—Mold Community Hospital
1985—Princess of Wales Hospital
1986—Ystradgynlais Community Hospital
1987—Prestatyn Community Hospital

Note: New hospitals includes replacement buildings but excludes hospitals which reopened following a period of closure.

In addition there were two major developments of existing hospitals at Wrexham Maelor hospital and Morriston hospital, which were completed in 1985.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each Welsh health district the cost of the 10 most commonly performed operations in the National Health Service for the latest year for which figures are available.

The information requested is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide the following information for the latest year for which statistics are available together with figures for 1979 and the period 1974 to 1979: (a) the number of general practitioners, (b) general practitioners' list sizes, (c) the number of nurses, (d) the number of junior hospital doctors, (e) the number of consultants, (f) the number of in-patients treated, (g) the number of out-patients treated and (h) the total spending on the National Health Service.

The information is shown in the table:

	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1988
General medical practitioners¹	1,291	1,290	1,286	1,304	1,323	1,339	1,599
General medical practitioners—average list size²	2,189	2,193	2,199	2,175	2,148	2,133	⁷1,851
Nursing and midwifery staff³	20,282	21,255	21,804	21,860	22,386	23,031	27,920
Junior hospital doctors⁴	906	976	989	1,047	1,091	1,172	1,375
Consultants⁵	534	553	588	601	614	614	771
In-patient cases	328,973	320,042	338,908	342,967	349,628	349,695	456,378
Out-patient total attendances	1,742,748	1,646,720	1,727,870	1,739,806	1,761,693	1,803,313	2,294,927
	1974–75	1975–76	1976–77	1977–78	1978–79	1979–80	1988–89
NHS expenditure (gross)⁶	209·9	281·8	316·8	358·6	411·2	481·6	1,270·5
¹ Unrestricted principals as at 1 October.
² As at 1 October.
³ Whole-time equivalents as at 30 September. The figures have not been adjusted to take account of the change in hours, in 1980, from 40 to 37·5.
⁴ Whole-time equivalents as at 30 September. Includes house officers, senior house officers, registrars, senior registrars, associate specialists and senior hospital medical officers. Excludes dentists.
⁵ Whole-time equivalents as at 30 September. Excludes dentists.
⁶ £ million outturn prices.
⁷ Provisional.

Roads

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest estimate of the cost of constructing the M4 link at Baglan; what is the length of time that the

	Contract period (months)	Roads in Wales timeband for start	Estimated cost at November 1988 prices (Roads in Wales)
			£ million
Earlswood-Lonlas	36	Before April 1990 Between 1 April 1991 and 31 March	33
Briton Ferry-Earlswood	36	1994 Between 1 April 1991 and 31 March	48
Baglan-Briton Ferry	30	1994	35

Tenders have been invited for the Earlswood-Lonlas contract with a view to letting before the end of this financial year. Preparation work on the remaining schemes is proceeding in accordance with the Roads in Wales programme. The Briton Ferry-Earlswood and Baglan-Briton Ferry contracts will be let six months apart to achieve simultaneous completion. The decision to proceed will depend on the availability of finance. The time required for tendering procedures, including EC journal notification and for advance earthworks is around 12 months.

Energy

Nuclear Accident, Kyshtym

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when Her Majesty's Government received from the International Atomic Energy Agency a copy of the IAEA report, drafted by the Soviet Union, on the accident in 1957 at the nuclear facility at Kyshtym; what new information relevant to the United Kingdom is included in the report; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

The IAEA's report on a radiological accident in the southern Urals on 29 September 1957, provided by the State Committee on the

actual construction would take; and what is the latest date at which a decision could be taken to start the construction in April 1991.

[holding answer 23 October 1989]: Construction of the M4 Baglan-Lonlas section of the M4 is planned as three separate schemes as follows:Utilisation of Atomic Energy, was issued on 28 July 1989. It contains interesting information on radiation exposure and monitoring, but nothing which requires changes to present United Kingdom monitoring arrangements. I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.

Oil Companies (Ministerial Meetings)

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many ministerial meetings have been held with oil companies in the past 12 months.

My right hon. Friend and I maintain close contact with oil companies active in the United Kingdom and meet them frequently.

Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the correspondence he or officials of his Department have had with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament since 1 July, in the context of the involvement of his Department and Campaign for Nuclear. Disarmament at the Hinkley C inquiry.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament wrote to my Department on 10 July with a number of questions arising from earlier correspondence on plutonium accounting. A reply was sent on 4 September. In addition, a letter was sent to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament on 18 July about the preparation of the annual plutonium statistics.

Oldbury

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the outcome of the International Atomic Energy Agency operational safety review team's visit to the Oldbury nuclear power plant; and what access to operational data in regard to plutonium production and dispatch was afforded to the Soviet inspector on the visit.

The principal conclusion of the International Atomic Energy Agency's operational safety review team (OSART) team was that the Oldbury nuclear power station is being operated at a high level of safety. The team also drew attention to a large number of other praiseworthy features, including the high degree of professionalism of station management and staff. They also considered that the plant was well prepared to respond to emergencies.When the IAEA has finalised its report on the mission, I shall arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.Data on the plutonium content of irradiated fuel is held at each station and is published annually by my Department. The Soviet member of the OSART team would have been allowed access to such data but in the event he did not ask to see it.

Plutonium

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 28 July, Official Report, column 978, on plutonium, he is now in a position to make a decision on the format for future publication of civil plutonium data.

I have nothing to add to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member. The plutonium data for 1988–89 will be published shortly.

Magnox Power Stations

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the current best estimate for (a) reprocessing costs and (b) decommissioning costs for Magnox nuclear power stations; and what estimate he has received from National Power and when.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West on 28 July, Official Report, column 981, if he will now state the total cost of (a) decommissioning, (b) dismantling and (c) guarding Magnox reactors during the next 10 decades.

The CEGB will be finalising its estimates of Magnox liabilities for publication in its report and accounts for 1988–89.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to the written answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West on 28 July, Official Report, column 981, when he was informed of the likely final total cost of decommissioning, dismantling and guarding Magnox nuclear reactors during the next 10 decades.

I refer the hon. Member to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Parkinson) made on 24 July, at column 744.

Colliery Closures

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many collieries where the Union of Democratic Mineworkers is the main or sole union, have closed since 1985; how many are under threat of closure; and if he will list them in chronological order.

Colliery closures are a matter for the British Coal Corporation. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Oil And Pipelines Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his responsibility for the Oil and Pipelines Agency.

Following the Government's decision to cease taking royalty in kind from 31 December 1988, the work of the Oil and Pipelines Agency has been progressively wound up and its only remaining role is that of managing agent for the Government pipeline and storage system (GPSS). In accordance with the decision announced by my predecessor in October last year responsibility for the GPSS was transferred from the Department of Energy to the Ministry of Defence on 1 April 1989. The Ministry of Defence has decided to retain the Oil and Pipelines Agency as managing agent for the GPSS and responsibility for the agency is therefore being transferred today with the approval of my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence.

Overseas Development

Nicaragua

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the aid provided to Nicaragua in 1988 and the current year to the most recent practicable date and state the amount allocated to each project.

In 1988 we provided £180,000 for disaster relief, following Hurricane Joan. In 1989 we have provided £80,000 for this purpose. Our share of European Community aid in 1988 was approximately £3·3 million. This included food aid, technical assistance for agricultural reform and emergency aid. No figures are available for 1989.Details of amounts provided for projects jointly funded with British voluntary agencies are available for the financial year 1988–89 but not for calendar years 1988 and 1989. They are:

	£
Agricultural development programme	867
Installation of potable water supplies	5,961
Traditional medicine programme	4,546
Bee-keeping	2,500
Esteli herbs	20,257
Las Segovias mother and child programme	4,650

Northern Ireland

Rail Link (Belfast To Dundonald)

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for the provision of a rail link from (a) Belfast to Dundonald and (b) Dundonald to Comber; what proposals there are for selling the former tracks of the Dundonald to Comber railway line; and if he will make a statement on the improvement of transport connections between Belfast and Comber.

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company is about to commission Queen's university and the University of Ulster to undertake a "Comprehensive Appraisal of Alternative Urban Transport Technologies for Belfast". This will include an investigation into the application of light rapid transit to Belfast and surrounding areas. There are no proposals to improve transport connections between Dundonald and Comber. Part of the track between Ballyloughran and Ballyrainey is currently on offer for sale.

Northern Ireland Assembly

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are employed by the Northern Ireland Assembly at Parliament Buildings, Stormont; what is the annual expenditure of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement about the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Eleven, including one part-time. The Northern Ireland Assembly cost £318,000 last year and £341,000 has been allocated for 1989–90. This figure includes £97,000 granted for deficiency contributions to pension funds of the Assembly and former House of Commons. The salary of the Clerk is (under section 24(6) of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973) charged to the Consolidated Fund.It continues to be the Government's policy to encourage progress towards devolution. Pending the resumption of such a role by elected representatives, staff of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which was dissolved on 23 June 1986, continue to perform residual functions.

Ulster Defence Regiment

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were arrested on Sunday 8 October; how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were involved in this operation; what is the estimated cost of the Royal Ulster Constabulary participation in this operation; if the authorities in the Republic of Ireland were given advance notice of this operation; how many of the arrested Ulster Defence Regiment men were subsequently charged with offences; how many of the arrested Ulster Defence Regiment men were remanded in custody; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 17 October 1989]: All police operations in the Province are the responsibility of the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and he has informed me that 28 members of the UDR were arrested on Sunday 8 October. The police operation involved 334 RUC officers and cost an estimated £45,000. Six UDR soldiers have been charged with criminal offences and all were initially remanded in custody; four have now been released on bail by the High Court. No advance notice was given of the operation to the authorities in the Republic of Ireland.

Attorney-General

Republic Of Ireland (Extradition)

To ask the Attorney-General how many applications to the Republic of Ireland for the extradition of persons in connection with alleged terrorist crimes have been successful since 15 November 1985.

A total of three persons whose return was sought in connection with alleged terrorist crimes have been returned to the United Kingdom since 15 November 1985.

Father Patrick Ryan

To ask the Attorney-General when the initial application for the extradition of Father Patrick Ryan was lodged with the authorities in the Republic of Ireland; if he can report progress; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply to a private notice question from the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Fraser) on 14 December 1988. The decision of the Irish Attorney-General on 12 December 1988 effectively precludes any further attempt to seek an order for Patrick Ryan's return from the Republic of Ireland.

Croydon Court Centre

To ask the Attorney-General what steps are being taken to improve the procedure for taxing bills at the Croydon combined court centre.

Arrears in the taxation of solicitors' bills in civil proceedings were identified in July 1989. Immediate steps were taken to rectify the position, including the provision of some additional registrar time and overtime for court staff. The arrears have now been substantially cleared.

County Courts (Midland And Oxford Circuit)

To ask the Attorney-General what, at each of the county courts on the Midland and Oxford circuit by name is the (a) shortest and (b) longest time currently being taken to obtain a hearing for possession of land actions; and what was the position one and two years earlier.

[holding answer 20 October 1989]: The tables show the current position for possession hearings at each county court on the Midland and Oxford circuit. Apart from Birmingham county court, the present position is much as it was one and two years ago. At Birmingham the city council has substantially increased the number of possession actions in respect of rent arrears in recent months. Consideration is being given to ways of reducing the time taken to obtain a hearing at Birmingham county court.

Shortest and longest time taken to obtain a hearing for possession of land actions at county courts by court administrator group Birmingham Group
Court	Shortest (weeks)	Longest (weeks)
Banbury County	8	8
Birmingham County	7	22
Corby County	7	7
Huntingdon County	5	6
Kettering County	7	7
Nuneaton County	4	8
Rugby County	8	8
Stratford County	4	7
Wellingborough County	7	7
Coventry combined	6	6
Northampton combined	7	7
Oxford combined	7	7
Peterborough combined	5	9
Warwick combined	6	6

Shortest and longest time taken to obtain a hearing for possession of land actions at county courts by court administrator group Nottingham Group
Court	Shortest (weeks)	Longest (weeks)
Alfreton County	7	8
Boston County	4	11
Buxton County	7	10
Chesterfield County	6	6
Derby County	5	9
Gainsborough County	4	8
Grantham County	6	9
Grimsby County	7	9
Ilkeston County	6	14
Leicester County	8	9
Lincoln County	6	12
Loughborough County	4	8
Mansfield County	5	6
Matlock County	6	6
Melton Mowbray County	4	13
Newark County	5	7
Nottingham combined	6	7
Scunthorpe County	7	7
Skegness County	5	8
Sleaford County	7	8
Spalding County	4	8
Worksop County	5	7

Shortest and longest time taken to obtain a hearing for possession of land actions at county courts by court administrator group Stafford Group
Court	Shortest (weeks)	Longest (weeks)
Burton on Trent	6	6
Dudley	5	6
Evesham	9	9
Great Malvern	5	8
Hereford	6	8
Kidderminster	5½	7½
Lichfield	4	4
Ludlow	6	8
Market Drayton	5	5
Oswestry	7	10
Redditch	6	9
Shrewsbury	7	9
Stafford	4	8
Stoke on Trent	6	6
Stourbridge	6	8
Tamworth	6	7
Telford	4	9
Walsall	7	8
West Bromwich	4	4
Wolverhampton	6	10
Worcester	4	7

Prime Minister

Energy Conservation

Q7.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding energy conservation.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received a number of representations regarding energy conservation and energy efficiency. Over the last four years for which figures are available the United Kingdom's ratio of energy use to GDP has increased at twice the EC average.

East Germany

Q19.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding human rights in East Germany.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received a number of representations. There is widespread and justified concern in this country about human rights abuses in the German Democratic Republic.

Ussr

Q27.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding United Kingdom relations with the USSR.

I have been asked to reply.The Government receive many representations about Anglo-Soviet relations both from members of the public and from interested organisations. There is widespread support for our determination to strengthen these relations and to support perestroika. The Prime Minister emphasised this when she was in Moscow in September.

Environmental Policy

Q39.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding environmental policy.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister received a number of recent representations about the environment, stimulated by the pace of our initiatives on environmental protection.

Water Industry

Q83.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the water industry.

I have been asked to reply.The Government have received a wide range of representations, especially on the subject of privatisation, which in our view represents the best way of achieving even higher standards of water quality more quickly and more cost effectively.

Local Government (London)

Q92.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding local government in London.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister frequently receives representations about local government.

Hungary

Q106.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding United Kingdom relations with Hungary.

I have been asked to reply.Our relations with Hungary are currently excellent. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is looking forward to meeting Hungarian State Minister lmre Pozsgay again on 27 October, and to the visit of Mr. Nemeth, the Hungarian Prime Minister in December. We welcome the many positive changes that are happening in Hungary. We have recently announced that we shall be establishing a fund to spend £25 million over five years to support progress towards democracy and a market economy in Hungary.

Poland

Q115.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding United Kingdom relations with Poland.

I have been asked to reply.Our relations with Poland are excellent. We wish the new, Solidarity-led Government every success. It has made a courageous start. The Prime Minister had talks with General Jaruzelski and with Professor Geremek of Solidarity in June, and very much looks forward to meeting Mr. Walesa here soon. We are committed to a major international effort to support Polish economic reform and recovery based on an IMF programme. Bilaterally we are giving £25 million over five years to provide training in the political and economic skills Poland needs. For example, last week a group of Polish members of parliament was here to study how our own parliamentary system works. The European Community is sending food to Poland. 200 million ecus from next year's budget will concentrate on projects for agriculture, the environment and vocational training.

Llanfihangel-Y-Fedw

Q125.

To ask the Prime Minister if she will make an official visit to the village of Llanfihangel-y-fedw in Newport, West.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has at present no plans to do so.

Nuclear Waste

Q130.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding nuclear waste disposal.

I have been asked to reply.Recently a number of representations have been received from Norwegian citizens and three have been received from United Kingdom residents about nuclear waste disposal.

Steel Industry

Q147.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the British steel industry.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received representations on this subject.

Cyprus

Q194.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding United Kingdom relations with Cyprus.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received a number of such representations from various quarters. I am happy to say that our relations with Cyprus are excellent.

Economy

Q195.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has received recent representations regarding the performance of the economy.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister regularly receives a large number of representations.

Federal Republic Of Germany

Q209.

To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to meet the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expects to meet Chancellor Kohl at a meeting of European Community Heads of Government in Strasbourg on 8 and 9 December.

Lancashire

To ask the Prime Minister when she next proposes to visit Lancashire.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has no plans to do so.

Engagements

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 24 October.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is returning from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

House Of Commons

Division Bells

To ask the Lord President of the Council how frequently the tests of the Division bells reveal defects; and if he will make a statement.

Defects in the Division Bell system are revealed only infrequently; this level of performance is achieved by the daily maintenance and inspection of the system which includes attention to areas of potential weakness.

Bills (Timetables)

To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will produce a table showing for each Bill introduced in this Parliament the time taken at (a) Second

Figures are quoted in hours and minutes
Bill	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
	Second Reading	Committee¹	Report	Third Reading	Allocation of time (all relevant stages)²	Lords Amendments	Total
Antarctic Minerals [Lords]	3·00	4·05	3·48	1·05	—	—	11·58
Atomic Energy [Lords]	2·27	4·59	—	⁴0·54	—	—	8·20
Brunei Appeals [Lords]	0·03	0·01	—	—	—	—	0·04
Children [Lords]	5·39	38·41	—	—	—	—	44·20
Civil Aviation (Air Navigation Charges [Lords]	0·01	0·19	—	⁴0·01	—	—	0·21
Companies [Lords]	2·59	39·33	—	—	—	—	42·32
Continental Shelf [Lords]	0·01	³0·01	—	⁴0·01	—	—	0·03
Dock Work	5·50	46·27	4·07	3·59	(25·59)	—	60·23
Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland)	5·46	7·58	6·15	1·24	—	—	24·41
Electricity	11·18	127·14	20·58	1·04	—	9·24	169·58
Employment	6·14	41·39	14·02	1·01	—	—	62·56
Extradition [Lords]	0·13	³0·02	—	⁴0·06	—	—	0·21
Fair Employment (Northern Ireland)	5·10	35·08	3·33	1·58	—	3·05	57·08
Finance	5·56	65·37	12·21	0·47	—	—	100·17
	5·56	³15·36	12·21	0·47	—	—	100·17
Football Spectators [Lords]	6·06	53·52	—	—	(17·13)	—	59·58
Human Organ Transplants	0·01	2·28	0·42	0·01	—	—	3·12
Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions)	0·01	0·01	0·09	0·04	—	—	0·15
Local Government and Housing	5·52	89·26	19·32	3·23	—	—	126·07
National Maritime Museum [Lords]	0·01	0·01	—	⁴0·28	—	—	0·30
Official Secrets	6·08	³29·34	4·09	1·13	(21·26)	0·32	41·36
Pesticides (Fees and Enforcement)	0·01	1·01	—	⁴0·14	—	—	1·16
Petroleum Royalties (Relief and Continental Shelf)	2·11	³0·08	—	⁴0·01	—	—	2·20
Police Officers (Central Service) [Lords]	0·36	0·01	—	⁴0·01	—	—	0·38
Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions)	4·56	57·38	5·04	1·15	(8·03)	0·02	68·55
Representation of the People	2·01	³2·l8	—	⁴0·10	—	—	4·29
Road Traffic (Driver Licensing and Information Systems) [Lords]	2·06	4·37	1·55	0·42	—	—	9·20
Security Service	5·45	³9·21	—	⁴3·53	—	—	18·59
Self·Governing Schools &c. (Scotland)	5·47	127·13	7·18	1·15	(26·59)	—	141·33
Social Security	5·13	71·43	12·32	0·37	—	3·05	92·56

Reading, (b) Committee stage, both in Standing Committee and on the Floor of the House of Commons, (c) Report stage, (d) Third Reading, (e) Where applicable, time spent on the guillotined stages, (f) Lords amendments and (g) in total.

A table showing the information requested for each Bill introduced in this Parliament could be provided only with disproportionate cost. The information for Government Bills introduced in this Session only, up to and including 18 October 1989, is given in the table. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer in Official Report of 3 November 1988, columns 717–720 for similar information relating to the 1987–88 Session.

Bill

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

Second Reading

Committee¹

Report

Third Reading

Allocation of time (all relevant stages)²

Lords Amendments

Total

Transport (Scotland)

5·20

33·05

5·23

1·13

—

0·23

45·24

Water

10·39

145·42

17·17

3·48

(101·11)

9·01

¹ Figures do not take account of suspensions of committees.

² Does not include time spent on allocation of time motions themselves.

³ Committee of the whole House.

⁴ Third reading includes formal report stage.

Security Passes

To ask the Lord President of the Council how many Commons pass applications have been received during the summer recess in respect of overseas students working for Members; how many are still awaiting security clearance; what is the average time taken to process such applications.

[pursuant to his reply, 18 October 1989, c. 141]: Only one pass application received during the summer recess in respect of Members' temporary research assistants from overseas is now still awaiting clearance.

Education And Science

Under-Fives

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list all submissions received by the committee on the education of under-fives; which of these have been circulated to all committee members; what criteria are used to determine which submissions will not be circulated; and if he will make a statement.

The organisations and individuals listed in the table have submitted written evidence to the committee. Submissions from nationally representative organisations are circulated in full to members, assessors and observers as a matter of course. In the interests of efficiency other submissions are not automatically given full circulation but members receive salient details and may request copies of any item.

British Association for Early Childhood Education
Geographical Association
National Association for Gifted Children Ltd.
National Childminding Association
National Curriculum Council
National Association of Head Teachers
Northamptonshire Early Childhood Centre
Rachel McMillan Nursery School
Pre-school Playgroups Association
Society of Education Officers
University of Warwick Department of Education
Mr. C. Blyth and Mr. F. Wallace
Mrs. J. M. Burns
Ms. Beryl Johnson
Mrs. Carolyn A. Jones
Ms. Jane Kirby
Ms. M. Lally
Ms. Caroline Matusiak
Mrs. Janet Morris
Mrs. Mary Richardson
Mr. J. Thackray and Ms. F. Sturt
Jay Trevis
Ms. H. Waddup and Ms. M. Randell
Ms. Sylvia Walker

Teacher Vacancies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list by (a) county and (b) local education authority the number of teacher vacancies to date; and if he will show this figure also as a percentage.

Numbers of vacancies in January 1989 for full-time permanent teachers in maintained schools in England are given in the table.

Full-time permanent teacher vacancies in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools—England, January 1989
Local Education authority/region	Number of vacancies	As a percentage of teachers in post
Gateshead	31	1·8
Newcastle upon Tyne	50	2·3
North Tyneside	0	0·0
South Tyneside	0	0·0
Sunderland	13	0·5
Cleveland	12	0·2
Cumbria	22	0·6
Durham	15	0·3
Northumberland	11	0·4
North	154	0·6
Barnsley	5	0·3
Doncaster	22	0·8
Rotherham	32	1·4
Sheffield	12	0·3
Bradford	28	0·6
Calderdale	20	1·2
Kirklees	30	0·9
Leeds	61	1·0
Wakefield	70	2·6
Humberside	29	0·4
North Yorks	46	0·9
York and Humberside	355	0·9
Knowsley	10	0·6
Liverpool	20	0·4
St. Helens	9	0·5
Sefton	3	0·1
Wirral	19	0·7
Bolton	11	0·5
Bury	14	1·0
Manchester	55	1·4
Oldham	7	0·3
Rochdale	33	1·7
Salford	58	2·8
Stockport	14	0·6
Tameside	38	2·1
Trafford	9	0·6
Wigan	9	0·3
Cheshire	24	0·3
Lancashire	193	1·8
North West	526	1·0
Derbyshire	76	1·0
Leicestershire	44	0·6
Lincolnshire	52	1·2
Northamptonshire	10	0·2

Local Education authority/region	Number of vacancies	As a percentage of teachers in post
Nottinghamshire	108	1·3
East Midlands	290	0·9
Birmingham	188	2·2
Coventry	24	0·9
Dudley	48	1·9
Sandwell	25	0·9
Solihull	27	1·6
Walsall	4	0·2
Wolverhampton	24	1·0
Hereford and Worcester	50	1·0
Shropshire	13	0·4
Staffordshire	50	0·6
Warwickshire	31	0·8
West Midlands	484	1·1
Cambridgeshire	39	0·8
Norfolk	31	0·6
Suffolk	36	0·8
East Anglia	106	0·7
Barking	51	4·0
Bamet	85	3·9
Bexley	31	1·9
Brent	32	1·6
Bromley	10	0·6
Croydon	39	1·7
Ealing	116	5·5
Enfield	72	3·6
Haringey	128	8·5
Harrow	16	1·2
Havering	51	2·7
Hillingdon	58	3·5
Hounslow	24	1·5
Kingston	9	0·9
Merton	47	4·1
Newham	194	8·2
Redbridge	36	2·3
Richmond	1	0·1
Sutton	21	1·9
Waltham Forest	75	4·2
ILEA	1,028	6·5
South East Greater London	2,124	4·3
Bedfordshire	117	2·8
Berkshire	91	1·7
Buckinghamshire	73	1·6
East Sussex	74	1·9
Essex	123	1·1
Hampshire	134	1·3
Hertfordshire	109	1·4
Isle of Wight	0	0·0
Kent	224	2·1
Oxfordshire	9	0·3
Surrey	131	2·2
West Sussex	74	1·7
Other South East	1,159	1·6
Avon	21	0·3
Cornwall	47	1·4
Devon	122	1·9
Dorset	11	0·3
Gloucestershire	0	0·0
Somerset	73	2·4
Wiltshire	68	1·7
South West	342	1·1
Total England	5,540	1·5

Overseas Teachers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list by local education authority the number of overseas teachers who have taken up posts since the beginning of the current school year and the countries from which they come.

The information is not available in the form requested. During the month of September, 323 teachers trained outside the United Kingdom have been considered for qualified teacher status by the Department. Of these, 153 have been accorded status. The country in which their qualifications were obtained are as follows:

Country	Teacher number considered	Accepted	Rejected
Australia	78	23	55
Austria	1	0	1
Bangladesh	5	0	5
Belgium	3	3	0
Brazil	2	1	1
Canada	6	0	6
Chile	1	0	1
Denmark	2	2	0
East Africa	1	0	1
France	5	5	0
Gambia	1	0	1
Germany (West)	13	13	0
Ghana	2	0	2
India	21	0	21
Israel	1	0	1
Italy	2	2	0
Kenya	4	0	4
Morocco	1	0	1
Netherlands	2	2	0
New Zealand	56	21	35
Nigeria	4	0	4
Norway	1	0	1
Peru	1	1	0
Philippines	4	0	4
Poland	1	0	1
Republic of Ireland	72	72	0
South Africa	9	1	8
Spain	4	4	0
Sri Lanka	2	0	2
Sweden	3	1	2
Trinidad and Tobago	1	0	1
Turkey	1	0	1
USA	9	2	7
USSR	1	0	1
West Africa	2	0	2
Yugoslavia	1	0	1
Total	323	153	170

Teacher Shortages (South Yorkshire)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the current figures of teacher shortages in south Yorkshire by (a) local education authority and (b) subject.

Numbers of vacancies in January 1989 for full-time permanent teachers in nursery, primary and secondary schools maintained by the four local education authorities in South Yorkshire are shown in the table.

Full-time teacher vacancies in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in South Yorkshire, January 1989
	Number
Total vacancies	71
By LEA:
Barnsley	5
Doncaster	22
Rotherham	32
Sheffield	12
By sector and subject/age group:
Nursery and primary schools
nursery age group	3
infant age group	13
junior age group	9
more than one age group	17
Total nursery and primary	42
Secondary schools
mathematics
chemistry	2
physics	1
other science	1
French	2
other language	1
English	1
drama	3
geography	1
religious education	1
music	4
physical education	4
remedial	2
others	1
Total secondary	¹5
¹ Including three deputy heads for whom no subject specified.

Institute Of Food Research

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of scientific officers being made redundant or eligible for early retirement from the Institute of Food Research, Bristol, together with the numbers of such officers being transferred to each of other named institutions.

This information is not available. It will not be known until the level of funding beyond 1990–91 for the AFRC Institute of Food Research, of which the Bristol laboratory is part, is known; the consequences in terms of identifying surplus posts and carrying out the redundancy procedures of the Council have been completed; and discussions with third parties concluded.

Student Loans (Northern Ireland)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the implications of student loans for Northern Ireland students.

Students ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland attending full-time higher education courses in Great Britain will be eligible for top-up loans, as will students ordinarily resident in England, Scotland or Wales attending courses in Northern Ireland.

Teachers' Pay

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will allow the interim advisory committee freedom to determine pay levels in the teaching profession by removing restrictions arising from cash limits.

No.

Teacher Training

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much central Government have contributed to the local education authority training grants scheme in each of the past five years; how much they plan to contribute up to 1991–92; and if he will make a statement on the trend in the central Government contribution in percentage terms.

The table shows how much money the Government have made available through the scheme, and how much expenditure this has supported, for each financial year since the scheme began:

England and Wales. (£000s)
Year	Total expenditure supported	Total government grant allocated	Per cent
1987–88	205,360	108,510	53·0
1988–89	218,937	125,700	57·0
1989–90	227,380	131,640	58·0
1990–91	229,090	134,165	59·0
1991–92	¹—	—
¹ Not yet determined.

Under the former in-service teacher training grants scheme, which this scheme replaced, a further £17·27 million was made available in 1985–86 and £20·74 million in 1986–87 to support in-service training.

To ask the Secretary of State For Education and Science how much is currently spent on in-service training for teachers; and if he will also express this figure as a percentage proportion of the total teachers' salaries bill.

Local education authorities in England have indicated that they are planning to spend £289 million on the in-service training of teachers in 1989–90. This represents about 4 per cent. of the total teachers salary bill for that year. Support for in-service training is also available through the Universities Funding Council, the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, the Open University, the National Curriculum Council and other agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to set up a national advisory body for in-service training and teachers.

None.

Assisted Places

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much is currently spent on the assisted places scheme.

Provision for expenditure on the assisted places scheme in England for the financial year 1989–90 is £59,049,000.

Student Accommodation

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students in institutions of higher education are currently residing in sub-standard or unsatisfactory accommodation.

Information about sub-standard or unsatisfactory accommodation is not held centrally. Student accommodation is the responsibility of institutions.

Mandatory Grants

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to reduce the residential qualification for mandatory grants especially in cases where applicants wish to take courses necessary in obtaining a teaching qualification.

No.

Loans charges paid
	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88
	£ million	£ million	£ million	£ million	£ million
Aberdeen	25·1	28·9	29·6	28·5	32·6
Dundee	20·7	23·7	26·3	27·3	34·3
Edinburgh	35·4	41·6	41·0	42·2	45·8
Glasgow	126·1	142·1	155·7	160·6	167·9

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the effect of current interest rates on the loan charges facing Scottish local authorities in the present financial year.

Local authorities have budgeted for loan and leasing charges of £605 million on services relevant for revenue support grant in 1989–90. The latest available estimates—which do not take account of the most recent increase in interest rates—indicate that this figure may be £20 million higher as a result of interest rate changes. The majority of the loans taken out by local authorities are at fixed rates of interest. Therefore, loan charges depend to a large extent on the interest rate current when a loan was taken out, and fluctuations in interest rates have a lesser effect than would otherwise be the case.Loan charges, budgeted to be met from housing revenue accounts, amount to £495 million for 1989–90 and the effect of increased interest rates is under consideration. If necessary, a housing support grant variation order will be made in due course.

Lithotriptor Centre

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average time a National Health Service patient would wait for first treatment at the Scottish lithotriptor centre.

Patients with severe symptoms requiring immediate treatment are treated immediately. Other urgent patients are treated within three to four weeks. Patients whose symptoms are less severe may have to wait up to one year for treatment although if their condition deteriorates their priority for treatment will be reassessed. Recent changes at the unit have enabled more patients to be treated each week. This should help to reduce waiting times.

Scotland

Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing central Government support per house in each district council area in each year in the period 1977–78 to 1988–89.

If the hon. Member could be more specific about the information he is seeking, I shall try to provide it.

Loan Charges

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the annual total loan charges payable by the four city district councils in each of the past five years.

The information for the latest available years is as follows:

Capital Debt

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the outstanding capital debt of Scottish local authorities; and what is the housing capital debt within the total.

The latest returns available show that at 31 March 1988, the total outstanding capital debt of Scottish local authorities was £8 billion, of which £4·4 billion was housing capital debt.

Bracken

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has conducted into the possible link between inhalation of spores from bracken fern and cancer; if he will publish the results; and if he will make a statement.

The Department is not directly involved in such research. However research work has been carried out for a number of years at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, on the biology of bracken, including the periodicity of spore release, and its control. Work on bracken control and on monitoring its distribution in Scotland has been carried out by the Macaulay land use research institute.

Untreated Sewage

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been received regarding the disposal of untreated domestic sewage at sea off the west coast of Scotland; what steps his Department intends to take to prevent this from happening; and what provision is made by regional councils for the disposal of septic tank wastes.

From time to time specific representations are received about discharges of sewage at particular sites off the west coast of Scotland.Responsibility for discharges from public sewerage systems and outfalls lies with the regional or islands council concerned. All discharges to the sea of sewage effluent require the consent of the local river purification authority who can set conditions which may include the volume and quality of the discharges. Failure to comply with consent conditions may result in prosecution.Most regional and island councils collect and dispose of septic tank wastes as part of their overall sewage disposal operation. In many areas septic tank waste is dealt with at local sewage treatment works. In other cases disposal to land or to sea may provide the best practicable environmental option.

£000s
	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86	1986–87	1987–88	1988–89
(a) Presentation of monuments in care
(i) Scotland	286	624	771	1,150	968	2,027
(ii) Shetland	—	—	—	35	16	7
(iii) Orkney	—	—	—	—	6	40
(b) Rescue Archaeology and Archaeology at monuments in care
(i) Scotland	698	745	781	866	1,006	1,138
(ii) Shetland	12	1	—	3	5	7
(iii) Orkney	118	136	137	147	133	13
(c) Historic Building Repair Grant
(i) Scotland	2,734	2,618	3,871	3,651	5,443	6,474
(ii) Shetland	1	—	—	14	—	2
(iii) Orkney	34	16	28	77	38	76

Note: 1. The Scotland figure for 1988–89 under (a) includes £1·370 million at Edinburgh Castle.

2. Rescue archaeology predominates in (b), and expenditure is incurred in response to threats to sites from development or natural causes such as erosion.

3. Expenditure on historic building repair grant arises from application by owners.

Forestry

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the criteria for the release of agricultural land for forestry planting in Scotland.

Since I announced revised criteria for forestry planting on agricultural land in Scotland on 24 March 1986, there have been a number of significant developments affecting forestry and agriculture. In particular, the Government have introduced a number of new initiatives to encourage planting on better quality land as well as increasing the overall planting target to 33,000 hectares a year for new forestry planting, with an additional 12,000 hectares a year for planting under the farm woodland scheme. It is clear that there will continue to be considerable interest in new forestry planting in Scotland. I have, therefore, considered changes which might be made to the criteria for the release of agricultural land to facilitate this achievement of the type and level of planting for which we are aiming while preserving an acceptable balance with agriculture, the environment and other interests. I have also taken the opportunity to

Dyslexia

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sufferers of dyslexia were assessed as registered disabled persons and had their names entered on the registered disabled persons' register in each of the past seven years; and if he will make a statement.

Information on the number of persons in particular categories of disability is not collected centrally. Local authorities are required to inform themselves of the numbers of chronically sick and disabled persons within their areas. They are not, however, required to keep registers for the purpose.

Historic Monuments

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the sums spent on (a) preservation of monuments in care, (b) archaeology and (c) assisting with the repair of historic buildings in (i) Scotland, (ii) Shetland and (iii) Orkney in each financial year since 1983–84.

The sums spent are in the table.simplify the criteria. In bringing forward these proposals I have consulted both the Countryside Commission for Scotland and the Nature Conservancy Council.There is a continuing need to retain in agriculture prime quality land, which is in general too scarce and important a resource in Scotland to be put to any other use, and to protect the land necessary to maintain a thriving hill sheep farming industry to underpin the economy of the hill areas. In the present situation, however, there is not generally so pressing a need to preserve other land for agricultural use and I am in particular willing in appropriate circumstances to support the release for forestry planting of non-prime arable land—that is, land falling within classes 3.2 and 4 of the land capability classification for agriculture—where such planting could play an important part in reducing agricultural surpluses, and bring significant environmental benefits.Applications under the Forestry Commission's woodland grant scheme and the commission's own proposed land acquisitions will continue to be considered on their merits through the usual procedures for consultation between the commission and other interested authorities. To simplify the criteria for the release of agricultural land

for forestry planting, a single threshold of 40 hectares has been set for consultation with my Department. Consultation will not be required for planting applications in respect of areas of land falling below this threshold except in the following cases:

applications relating to prime quality agricultural land, for that is, land falling within classes 1, 2 and 3·1 of the land capability classification for agriculture, and to specifically identified areas where the scope for afforestation has to be severely constrained to ensure that the hill sheep industry continues to thrive. In these cases my Department will apply a general presumption against release of the land for forestry planting. Separate applications for areas of land of less than 40 hectares submitted either simultaneously or consecutively and relating to the same agricultural unit, which together exceed 40 hectares. Applications relating to areas of land in respect of which agricultural grant has been paid within the previous two years where consultation is necessary to ensure that there is no conflict between the requirements of the relevant agricultural grant scheme and the planting proposals. For the same reason consultation will also be necessary in relation to land which is the subject of a conservation agreement under the environmentally sensitive area scheme (ESA). The Forestry Commission will continue generally to take account of the special status of ESAs in considering applications within the designated areas.

The requirement for consultation on all applications in these categories does not, however, necessarily imply that objections to the planting proposals involved will be raised on agricultural grounds. There will otherwise be a general presumption in favour of the release of agricultural land for forestry planting. This means that the Department will have to demonstrate that the presumption in favour of release should not apply in any particular case where a planting proposal is regarded as being unacceptable on agricultural grounds, for instance because release of the land involved would undermine the agricultural structure of the area.

A map, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House, is being made available to interested parties showing the areas of hill sheep land and of prime quality agricultural land where a general presumption against release for forestry planting will apply; the map also shows the boundaries of the Scottish ESAs. The location of the prime quality agricultural land in Scotland can be found in greater detail, in maps produced by the Macaulay land use research institute.

I have also taken the opportunity to revise the procedures for carrying out assessments of planting proposals to reduce the time taken to deal with applications.

I hope that these changes in criteria and procedures will result in a better understanding of the circumstances in which agricultural land will be released for forestry planting and will help to promote an increase in the levels of new planting in areas where this can be accommodated without detriment to, and in many cases with positive benefit for, the environment.

Procurater Fiscal

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of reports submitted by the police and other reporting agencies to the procurator fiscal were marked "no proceedings" in the fiscaldom of (a) Wick and (b) Dornach for the whole of 1987 and 1988.

[holding answer 23 October 1989]: The proportion of reports submitted by the police and other reporting agencies to the procurators fiscal of Wick and Dornach which were marked "no procedings" for the whole of 1987 and 1988 were 18 per cent. and 17 per cent. and 11 per cent. and 7 per cent. respectively.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Political Groups (Ec)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will tabulate in the Official Report, the amounts paid, in 1988 pound sterling equivalents, to each of the political groups of the European Parliament, together with an indication of any allocated expenditure within the totals and the total expected expenditure in 1990.

The information requested for 1988 is not immediately available, but a reply will be given as soon as possible.The EC budget for 1990, and hence the European Parliament provision, cannot be adopted before the December plenary session of the European Parliament.

Border Controls

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to monitor the work of the Schengen group of European Community countries in its planning for the abolition of border controls; and if he will make a statement.

We are naturally interested in the experience of the Schengen partners in seeking to reduce frontier controls. We are monitoring progress closely through contacts with the member states concerned. I understand that they are unlikely to meet the 1990 deadline for abolishing land frontiers between them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesty's Government are not participating in the Schengen group's work on European Community border controls.

The Schengen agreement is an arrangement between France, the Federal Republic and the Benelux countries. Their work is entirely separate from the wider discussions on free movement of people which are taking place among all member states of the European Community, in which the United Kingdom participates fully and actively.

Ukraine

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to establish a British embassy in the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement.

No. The British embassy in Moscow handles all work relating to British interests in the Ukraine.

Punjab

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Indian Government about the continuing troubles in the Punjab.

None. We co-operate closely with the Government of India in the fight against a violent challenge to the rule of law from ruthless terrorists. We have no sympathy with people who use violence to threaten India's unity and cohesion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have protested to the Indian Government over human rights abuses in the Punjab.

No. We have always made clear our views on the need for all Governments to respect human rights. For their part, the Indian Government have recently reaffirmed their resolve to take action where there are abuses of human rights in Punjab.

Hong Kong

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what deputations and representations have been received from Hong Kong during the summer adjournment on the issue of the right of abode.

We have received numerous representations on this subject from people in Hong Kong and from others with a close interest in Hong Kong. For example, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had a very useful discussion on this and other current Hong Kong issues with a delegation from OMELCO in the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to further extend the number of full British passport holders in Hong Kong.

We are working on a scheme to give the assurance of right of abode in the United Kingdom to people in the private and public sectors, whose skills are essential to the continued prosperity of Hong Kong. Our aim is to give such people the confidence to remain in the territory. No decision has yet been taken on what form these assurances should take.

Ec (Moslem Population)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has on the size of the Moslem population and the country of origin in each of the member states of the European Economic Community;(2) what information he has on the number of the Moslem population and their country of origin in

(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) the Channel Islands, (f) each of the county towns of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and (g) each of the towns containing the regional or islands councils in Scotland.

I have been asked to reply.Official data on persons' religions are not available, but an unofficial estimate of the number of active members of the Moslem religion in the whole of the United Kingdom is given in table 11.8 of the Central Statistical Office publication "Social Trends 19".

Environment

Seals

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy of 28 July, Official Report, column 117, on seal deaths, he will publish that letter to which reference is made in the Official Report.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 23 August. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

London Docklands

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the London Docklands Development Corporation is spending on social housing and community facilities in the current year in the London Borough of Newham; and what are the future plans.

LDDC's programme includes £24 million of expenditure on social housing and community projects specific to Newham in the current year, in addition to expenditure on various Docklandswide initiatives which will also benefit this area.Future plans will be decided in the light of the Department's expenditure plans for 1990–91 to 1992–93 which will be announced by the Secretary of State at the time of the autumn statement.

333 Whapload Road, Lowestoft

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the appeal against refusal by Waveney distict council to demolish listed building 333 Whapload road, Lowestoft, Ref.: APP/T3535/89/804854 and Ref.: APP/T3535/A/89/130250 will be dealt with by written representation or public inquiry; why his Department has announced both methods for determination; and whether he will assist the appellant financially on his second appeal for the same building.

Although the appeals in question were originally to be dealt with by an exchange of written representations, the submissions made indicated that a public local inquiry was necessary in order to inform the inspector of all the relevant issues. This change in procedure does not make a further appeal necessary.

Toxic Waste

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a copy of the report on the movement and management of toxic waste approved by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; and if he will make it his policy that the United Kingdom complies fully with the recommendations made in this report.

We have seen the provisional edition of the recommendations on transfrontier movement of toxic waste by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The United Kingdom, by signing the Basel convention on transboundary movements of hazardous waste and working within the European Community for its ratification and implementation, intends to comply with the recommendations.

Sites Of Special Scientific Interest

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take in response to the loss of wildlife habitat and the damage or destruction of sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the guidance given in the Department's circular 27/87 "Nature Conservation" ensures that planning authorities are able to take full account of the nature conservation interest of land which is the subject of development proposals. It is the responsibility of planning authorities to consider these interests together with the requirements of other legitimate land uses in reaching their decisions. A high proportion of damage is the incidental result of third party activities. We are ready to consider, with the NCC and others, practicable action to minimise them. Damage to SSSIs from agricultural operations is now a tiny proportion of the total.

Wath Recycling Company

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to when the toxic waste received by the Wath Recycling Company from the United States of America is to be moved from Wath upon Dearne and what information he has as to the intended destination.

The Department has no information as to when the waste imported from the United States of America to Wath Recycling Ltd. will be moved from Wath upon Dearne nor as to its destination.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he expects to take criminal action against any party involved in the importation of contaminated waste by the Wath Recycling Company.

The question as to whether criminal legal proceedings should be taken concerning the importation of waste by Wath Recycling Ltd. is a matter for Rotherham metropolitan borough council, the appropriate waste disposal authority, to decide.

City Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation giving powers to local authorities to conduct a referendum on any proposed development which is subject to an application for city grant; and if he will make a statement.

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are applied when assessing a company which is making an application for city grant; and if he will make a statement.

The criteria applied in appraisal of an application for city grant are described in the city grant guidance notes. The appraisal process seeks to establish that the private sector participant has the necessary financial strength and expertise to carry out the project, and whether any external finance needed is in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether planning consent is required for any development before city grant is made; what is the general level of city grant as a proportion of total anticipated expenditure; and if he will make a statement;(2) what safeguards exist to prevent local authorities from being prejudiced in dealing with planning applications which are subject to city grant requests by accepting plans on the basis that the grant will be made; and if he will make a statement.

City grant applications are not accepted for appraisal unless planning permission for the project has already been granted, or is due to be considered shortly by the local planning authority. As a decision on city grant is not made until there is a final determination of planning permission, the local authority, in considering planning applications is not in a position to accept them on the basis that grant will be given.On average, approximately £1 of city grant levies is £4 of private sector investment.

Bradford Ido

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether a full application has yet been received from Bradford for the rebuilding and diversion of Bradford beck under the Bradford integrated development operation; whether the application has been considered by the IDO co-ordinating committee; and if he will make a statement.

A full application incorporating elements from the Yorkshire water authority has been received from Bradford metropolitan borough council for the rebuilding and diversion of Bradford beck under the Bradford integrated development operation. This application requires to be supported by a cost benefit analysis, which is awaited. When this is received and properly evaluated, the application will be submitted to the IDO co-ordinating committee.

Genetically Altered Organisms

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if it is his intention to allow public consultation under rules to specify legal procedures for the release outdoors of genetically altered organisms; and if he will make a statement;(2) what representations he has had concerning the establishment of a safety directorate to oversee the application of safety rules to all research and production involving the use of genetically engineered organisms; and if he will make a statement.

Controls over the release of genetically engineered or manipulated organisms are administered principally by the Health and Safety Executive at present. Improvements in the existing controls to provide greater protection for the environment are being considered in the light of the 13th report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and of comments received in response to the consultation paper "Proposals for Additional Legislation on the Intentional Release of Genetically Manipulated Organisms" which was published jointly by my Department and the Scotttish and Welsh Offices. This consideration includes the possible structure of any revised system of controls and the extent to which there should be public consultation on proposed releases, but no decisions have yet been taken.

Community Liaison Officers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the urban development corporations who have appointed community liaison officers and the dates of any such appointments.

The following urban development corporations have an officer or officers carrying out community liaison work, with the date of the first such appointment in brackets:

Black Country Development Corporation (October 1987);
Central Manchester Development Corporation (1 December 1988);
London Docklands Development Corporation (10 January 1983);
Sheffield Development Corporation (12 December 1988);
Trafford Park Development Corporation (27 February 1989);
Tyne and Wear Development Corporation (20 October 1988 as a consultant).

The Teesside development corporation has an officer whose duties include community liaison work.

Teesdale

To ask the Secretary of State of the Environment what is the total amount of money spent so far by the Teesside urban development corporation on the purchase and reclamation of the Teesdale site in Stockton-on-Tees; how much is budgeted for future expenditure on this site; how much has been spent by other public agencies; what resources are being provided for creating an access to the site; and if he will make a statement.

The Teesside development corporation has, to date, spent £5·7 million on the purchase and reclamation of the Teesdale site. I am not aware of any significant expenditure on this site by other public agencies.The total cost for the acquisition, site preparation and infrastructure works for the Teesdale site is estimated at £57 million. This figure includes the cost of providing access to the site and the construction of the new bridges and barrage across the River Tees which are the subject of a private Bill promoted by the development corporation which is currently before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals have been put forward from the private sector for the Teesdale site; when any development is likely to take place; and if he will make a statement.

There is significant private sector interest in the development of the Teesdale site for commercial, industrial and housing uses. The Teesside development corporation must, however, await the progress of the River Tees Barrage and Bridges Private Bill before detailed proposals for the comprehensive development of the site can be finalised.

Social Housing (Docklands)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions are to be made by the Government to the London Docklands development corporation for the social housing programme for the years 1990–91 to 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.

This will be decided in the light of the Department's expenditure plans for 1990–91 to 1992–93 which will be announced by the Secretary of State at the time of the autumn statement.

Rural Development Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the work of the Rural Development Commission, in particular regarding its programme of assisting balanced and viable local communities in the more remote regions of England.

The annual report of the Rural Development Commission for 1988–89 has recently been published and copies have been placed in the Library. The Rural Development Commission is the principal agency in England charged with carrying forward the Government's policy of diversifying the rural economy. Its programmes for that purpose make a major contribution to maintaining balanced and viable communities in rural areas, and it also assists that objective by measures to increase the supply of affordable housing in rural areas and by helping community groups and community development projects. The bulk of the Commission's expenditure is targeted towards its priority areas, the rural development areas, which are mostly in the more remote regions of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether there are any plans to increase the measures available to the Rural Development Commission for promoting community development.

The Rural Development Commission has already increased the proportion of its funds devoted to community development and self-help. It is now planning to launch a new fund targeted on the problems of disadvantaged groups in rural areas.

Sewerage Works

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to determine the applications for time-limited consents in respect of certain sewage treatment works submitted to him in response to his announcement on 7 December 1988 of an accelerated investment programme designed to improve effluent quality.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today issued the first directions to the National Rivers Authority to grant time-limited consents in respect of a number of applications for sewage treatment works. Further directions, including where relevant refusals of applications, will be issued as the individual applications are considered. All those who submitted representations on individual applications will be notified of my right hon. Friend's decision together with the reasons for it in due course. It will be for the National Rivers Authority to place these consents on the public register in the usual way.

Ocean Circulation Experiment

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will make a statement on the plan for and purpose of the world ocean circulation experiment based at the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences at Deacon laboratory in Wormley, Surrey.

I have been asked to reply.The World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) is an international experiment which will study the role of ocean circulation in determing climate change. The United Kingdom has played a major role in the planning of WOCE and will contribute both to the data collection and the development of models of ocean circulation. WOCE will take place mainly between 1990 and 1996 and in the United Kingdom will involve the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), higher education institutions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Meteorological Office.

Water Privatisation

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce the K factors to be given to the statutory water companies.

[holding answer 19 October 1989]: I plan to announce before the end of December the K values which I propose to determine in respect of statutory water companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each water company region the number of members of the public who have registered an interest in purchasing shares in the water industry.

[holding answer 19 October 1989]: No. The prospectus will contain all information on registration that is material to investors' decisions.

Algae

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on algae blooms both in Britain's reservoirs and lakes and in estuaries and around the coastline.

[holding answer 19 October 1989]: Algal blooms are normal in United Kingdom surface waters. In the particular cases of toxic blue-green algae in reservoirs this summer it has been prudent for owners to prohibit public access for recreational uses. The incidence of blue-green algae is now declining. The National Rivers Authority is monitoring the situation closely.

Committee Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the composition of each customer services committee, showing for each member their age, sex and background leading to their being appointed to the committee and which interests they represent.

[holding answer 19 October 1989]: Appointments to the customer service committees for the water industry are a matter for the Director General of Water Services. I understand that the Director General is currently considering nominations received from a large number of interest groups and that he hopes to announce the membership of the committees in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many meetings and on what dates have been held between his departmental officials, representatives of 3Ds Ltd. and officials of Bradford local authority; what advice was given to both bodies by his officials regarding any application for city grant for the West End development in Bradford; and if he will make a statement.

Members of the Department's team of professional appraisers and other officials have had many discussions on the proposals for the West End development, with representatives of 3D Ltd., and officials from the local authority, at both the regional office and headquarters. Details of the precise dates are not readily available.Advice given to the developers and local authorities regarding any application for city grant is the standard guidance contained in the city grant guidance notes. For reasons of commercial confidentiality it is not our practice to comment on individual city grant proposals.

Health

Rabies

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died from rabies in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years; and what were the comparable figures in each of the other European Community countries.

The information requested for the United Kingdom is show in the table; data for other European Community countries are not available.

Number of deaths with underlying cause of death of rabies¹, United Kingdom, 1984–88
	Number of deaths
1984	—
1985	—
1986	1
1987	1
1988	1
¹ International Classification of Diseases (9th revision) code 071.

Disease Control

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of the chief medical officer's report "Public Health in England" that the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 should be reviewed.

As a first step in the review process a consultation document inviting comments on an extensive range of options and proposals to amend the law on infectious disease control is today being issued to a wide variety of health and local authority bodies. Copies have been placed in the Library. The closing date for replies will be 31 January 1990.This is the first full review of infectious disease control since before the second world war. Many of the provisions in the current legislation date back to the late 19th and early 20th century. Our aim is to bring up to date the law relating to infectious diseases so that it reflects our current modern situation.

Voluntary Organisations

To ask the Secretary of State for Health why new core grants awarded to voluntary organisations under the provisions of section 64 of the Health Service and Public Health Act 1968 will be limited from the next financial year to a period which will not exceed five years.

The primary objective of this change in relation to new grants is to ensure that the section 64 budget retains enough flexibility to encompass a range of new applications each year. The overall value of the section 64 budget has not been reduced, and we shall keep the outcome of this change under review.

Community Treatment Orders

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been conducted in the United Kingdom on the justification for community treatment orders; whether any such research is under consideration; and if he will make a statement.

We have just received the preliminary results of research commissioned by the Department of Health from Dr. Tom Sensky of Riverside health authority, London which examined the need for a community treatment order. I am not aware of any further research under consideration at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish his proposals for the introduction of community treatment orders; and if he will make a statement.

We understand that in due course, the Royal College of Psychiatrists will be giving us their views on the possible role of new legal powers to ensure compulsory treatment in the community. We will then explore this issue with all the interested parties involved. Without prejudicing the discussion, we would need to be very clear both of the benefits, and that they could not be achieved through voluntary means, before seriously considering asking Parliament to create provision for compulsory treatment in the community.

Operations

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cost of the 10 most commonly performed operations in the National Health Service in the 10 highest cost and 10 lowest cost districts for the latest year for which figures are available.

I regret that this information is not collected centrally and to do so would be at disproportionate cost.

Health Service Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide the following information for the latest year for which statistics are available together with figures for 1979 and the period 1974 to 1979: (a) the number of general practitioners, (b) general practitioners' list sizes, (c) the number of nurses, (d) the number of in-patients treated, (e) the number of out-patients treated, (f) the number of junior hospital doctors, (g) the number of consultants and (h) the total spending on the National Health Service.

The information for England is as follows:

	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1988
(a) Number of General Practitioners	20,219	20,377	20,551	20,796	21,040	21,357	25,322
(b) General Practitioners' average list size	2,384	2,365	2,351	2,331	2,312	2,286	1,999
(c) Number of nurses¹	314,000	332,200	341,700	343,200	351,000	358,400	403,900
(d) In-patients treated	5,171,706	4,975,750	5,254,551	5,344,967	5,370,319	5,400,120	²6,619,354
(e) Out-patients treated	7,824,826	6,925,922	7,498,484	7,612,057	7,711,912	7,713,465	²8,529,759
(f) Number of junior hospital doctors	15,274	16,304	16,799	17,402	18,091	18,902	21,493
(g) Number of consultants	9,373	9,625	9,992	10,124	10,382	10,632	13,177

	Financial year	£ millions
(h) Gross NHS expenditure	1974–75	3,426
	1975–76	4,511
	1976–77	3,149
	1977–78	5,689
	1978–79	6,525
	1979–80	7,755
	³1988–89	19,639
¹ Excluding nurses employed by general medical practitioners.
² Figures are for the 1987–88 financial year.
³ Estimate.

Babies (Special Care)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state for each regional health authority (a) in 1983 and (b) the latest figures available (i) the number of live births, (ii) the number of births of babies less than 1,000 grams, (iii) the number of special care baby cots and (iv) the number of babies under 1,000 grams per special care baby cot.

The figures are shown in the tables.

(i) Total live births: area of usual residence
Regional Health Authority	1983	1988
Northern	39,117	40,105
Yorkshire	46,507	49,972
Trent	57,165	61,618
East Anglia	23,075	26,600
North West Thames	45,596	50,639
North East Thames	49,894	56,466
South East Thames	44,007	51,402
South West Thames	34,688	39,258
Wessex	33,044	37,942
Oxford	30,948	35,698
South Western	35,523	40,981
West Midlands	68,224	72,809
Mersey	31,850	33,515
North Western	53,617	57,358

(ii) Livebirths less than 1,000 grams
RHA	1983	1988
Northern	145	102
Yorkshire	186	172
Trent	243	167
East Anglia	70	58
North West Thames	165	165
North East Thames	199	199
South East Thames	164	195
South West Thames	124	121
Wessex	98	84
Oxford	134	105
South Western	124	134
West Midlands	297	287
Mersey	123	106

RHA

1983

1988

North Western

226

190

(iii) Number of special and neonatal intensive care cots
RHA	1983	1987–88
Northern	307	258
Yorkshire	333	324
Trent	348	321
East Anglia	139	134
North West Thames	299	280
North East Thames	333	295
South East Thames	292	266
South West Thames	205	185
Wessex	195	178
Oxford	190	193
South Western	201	198
West Midlands	449	395
Mersey	190	166
North Western	377	333
Special Health Authorities	40	47

Source: 1983: SH3—Special Care Baby Unit Cots

1987–88 Form KHO3—Neonatal cots not in maternity units (including regionally designated intensive care cots)

(iv) Number of live births under 1,000 grams divided by the number of special and neonatal intensive care cots
Regional Health Authority	1983	1988
Northern	0·5	0·4
Yorkshire	0·6	0·5
Trent	0·7	0·5
East Anglia	0·5	0·4
North West Thames	0·6	0·6
North East Thames	0·6	0·7
South East Thames	0·6	0·7
South West Thames	0·6	0·7
Wessex	0·5	0·5
Oxford	0·7	0·5
South Western	0·6	0·7
West Midlands	0·7	0·7
Mersey	0·6	0·6
North Western	0·6	0·6

Note: Although the information is provided as requested, it is not a

reliable measure of the use made of special and neonatal intensive care provision. For example, it does not take into account the facilities provided by the Special Health Authorities nor that special and neonatal intensive care facilities are provided to some babies born weighing over 1,000 grams.

Transport

Central London Rail Study

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the central London rail study.

We are currently considering the proposals put forward in the central London rail study. Decisions will be announced shortly.

A46

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to uprate to motorway standard the A46 where it bypasses Kenilworth in Warwickshire.

No.

Transport Act 1985 (Review)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will order a review of the working of the Transport Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans to review the working of the Transport Act 1985. Bus deregulation has encouraged a greater diversity of services, with more bus miles being provided by more operators at lower cost to local authorities.

Roads White Paper

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from bodies located in the north-west of England on his roads White Paper.

A number of representations, both from individuals and bodies, on the White Paper "Roads for Prosperity" published in May have been received from the north-west of England. Many of these have been concerned with particular schemes added to the national road programme by the White Paper and with the letting of design commissions.

Motorways

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on traffic volumes on the A419/A417 link between the M4 and the M5 in the last five years.

Traffic flows on the A417/A419 route have been recorded as follows:

Stratum St. Margaret—north of Swindon
	Vehicles per day
1984	17,234
1985	18,845
1986	19,671
1987	22,156

	Vehicles per day
1988	25,312
1989	27,009
North of Cirencester
1984	9,813
1985	10,813
1986	10,698
1987	10,956
1988	12,261
1989	12,558

Aircraft (Aborted Take-Offs)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many aborted take-offs of twin-engine aircraft have taken place in 1988 and 1989 at (a) United Kingdom and (b) Scottish airports.

The overwhelming majority of aborted take-offs occur soon after the engines should reach full thrust; the aircraft's speed is less than 50 mph and there is more than a mile of runway remaining in which the aircraft can be safely stopped.Aborted take-offs are required to be reported only if they occur near the speed where the pilot has to decide quickly whether to stop or continue the take-off. The numbers of such aborts by twin-engine aircraft were 24 in 1988, of which eight were in Scotland, and 19 so far in 1989, of which six were in Scotland.

Airports (Costs)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will set out all expenditures deriving from governmental and public sector sources at the following airports from the creation of the BAA in 1966 to its privatisation: (a) Gatwick, (b) Heathrow, (c) Stansted, (d) Edinburgh, (e) Glasgow, (f) Aberdeen and (g) Prestwick;(2) if he will set out all expenditures deriving from governmental and public sector sources in the road and rail infrastructure serving the following airports from the creation of the BAA in 1966 until its privatisation:

(a) Gatwick, (b) Heathrow, (c) Stansted, (d) Edinburgh, (e) Glasgow, (f) Aberdeen and (g) Prestwick.

This information is not held centrally.

Trunk Roads

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reconsider the decision not to accept the need for a link road from Elkesley village to the B6387 in Nottinghamshire in the light of the increasingly motorway character of the A1 trunk road and the recent announcements of major sums available for improvements in trunk road/motorway provision; whether he has made any estimate of the cost of building this road; and what representations he has received on the issue.

The provision of a link road is a matter for Nottinghamshire county council, as highway authority for the B6387.The Department's White Paper "Roads for Prosperity", published in May, announced a study of the strategic needs of the A1 corridor from Stamford to south of Doncaster including possible motorway status. Junctions and accesses, including those at Elkesley, will be considered. It is hoped to appoint consultants soon.Representations have been received from my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mr. Alexander), Bassetlaw district council and the Elkesley Bridge action group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current position regarding the proposed A38 trunk road improvements between Saltash and Trerulefoot and Liskeard-Bodmin; when he hopes to announce the preferred lines of route; and if he will make a statement.

Consultants were appointed in October 1987 to investigate options for the proposed improvement of the A38 from Liskeard to Bodmin. We plan to carry out public consultation on alternative routes next year and to announce a preferred route early in 1991.We expect to appoint consultants for the scheme from Saltash to Trerulefoot very shortly. One of their first tasks will be to review the earlier work done for this scheme; subject to the outcome of this we hope to carry out public consultation and announce a preferred route during 1992.

Manchester Metrolink

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce his decision on funding for the Manchester Metrolink project.

Table: Numbers of each reason given for refusing a community care grant—period 4 April to 30 September 1989
Local Office	Reason for Decision
	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)	(9)	(10)	(11)
Leicester (Burleys Way)	2	18	5	1	2	1	8	2	15	3	125
Leicester (Lower Hill Street)	4	26	16	¹112	5	0	17	2	104	1	110
Leicester (Norton Street)	6	52	24	3	7	2	31	15	0	2	231
Leicester (Yeoman Street)	4	63	25	2	10	2	21	3	90	1	315
¹ Figure inflated by error in interpreting computer input code
Key
(1) Applicant has savings over £500 which meet the full cost.
(2) Applicant is not in receipt of IS.
(3) Item(s) excluded by Secretary of State Direction.
(4) Applicant excluded by Secretary of State Direction.
(5) Applied for less than the minimum award of £30.
(6) Adjusted amount less than the minimum award of £30.
(7) Decision given on application for same item in same circumstances in the previous 26 weeks.
(8) Help available from another source.
(9) Priority too low to meet from the budget.
(10) Alternative available to the whole application.
(11) Others not covered above—includes refusals where general criteria for CCG are not satisfied.

Nursing Home Fees

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to review the maximum levels of private nursing home fees funded by his Department; and if he has assessed whether existing levels are still relevant in the Bristol area.

The Government are currently reviewing all the limits and a general uprating statement will be made shortly in the usual way.

Overpayments

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide the most recent figures broken down by (a) year and (b) section on (i) the number of

I am today writing to Councillor Harkin, chairman of the Greater Manchester passenger transport authority, to say that I am approving phase I of the Manchester Metrolink project for grant under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968. Grant will be paid at 50 per cent. of eligible costs within a cash ceiling; borrowing approval will be available for other eligible costs.I welcome this important and innovatory scheme, which is the first new street-running light railway in this country to be approved for many years. It will link Manchester's main railway termini, and will provide much-improved services to Bury and Altrincham. The scheme will also bring a new form of private sector involvement: it is to be designed, built, operated and maintained by a single consortium, the GMA Group. The net capital cost is expected to be about £110 million.

Social Security

Social Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what statistical information he has as to the reasons given to applicants by social fund officers at the local offices in Leicester for the nil awards in respect of an application for community care grant.

Information on the number of times each reason for decision has been used in refusing an application for a community care grant is given in the table.overpayments recovered under section 53 of the Social Security Act 1986, section 119 of the Social Security Act 1975 and section 20 of the Supplementary Benefit Act 1976, (ii) the number of standard letters sent indicating that recovery of overpayments through civil proceedings and (iii) the number of cases pursued under (ii) which are successful.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 10 May 1989 at column 447.

Funeral Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide payment of funeral grant in cases where a person dies in the United Kingdom but the body is buried elsewhere to cover all the costs incurred in the United Kingdom with the exception of air transit costs provided that the applicant would qualify in all other respects; and if he will make a statement.

No. The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 1987 stipulate that a social fund funeral payment can be made for funeral expenses only where the burial or cremation takes place in the United Kingdom.

Employment

Wages Councils

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has come to a decision about the future of wages councils.

No.

Southern Tourist Board

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the top 20 tourist attractions in the area covered by the Southern tourist board in numbers visiting; and if he will indicate the numbers in each instance for the previous comparable year.

The English tourist board's annual survey of visits to attractions gives the following figures for the Southern tourist board area in 1987 and 1988:

	Number of visits
	1988	1987
Needles Pleasure Park	600,000	600,000
Beaulieu	537,750	513,481
Winchester Cathedral	400,000	400,000
Mary Rose Exhibition	370,360	362,105
Paultons Country Park	366,100	372,930
Queen Elizabeth Country Park	340,530	292,126
HMS Victory	332,238	326,051
HMS Warrior	300,000	¹—
Marwell Zoo	280,405	248,052
Moors Valley Country Park	250,000	150,000
Osborne House	247,873	240,149
Birdworld and Underwater World	219,190	220,000
Natural World, Poole	181,700	170,522
Robin Hill Zoo and Adventure Park	180,000	180,000
Tank Museum, Bovington	175,469	169,746
Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum	164,795	170,180
Corfe Castle	161,754	149,279
Carisbrooke Castle	152,993	152,459
Poole Pottery	143,682	¹—
Studland, Dorset	142,510	144,294
¹ Not known.

Briding Allowances

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons aged 16 and 17 years were in receipt of bridging allowance by region during April, May and June.

Figures for the number of young people in receipt of bridging allowance by region are provided in the table.

Numbers in receipt of Bridging Allowance
Region¹	April (13 April 1989)	May (11 May 1989)	June (8 June 1989)
East Midlands and Eastern	1,170	1,075	942
West Midlands	1,298	1,202	1,159
Wales	671	569	583
London and South East	1,617	1,427	1,261
South West	630	538	436
Northern	1,021	885	868
Yorkshire and Humberside	1,487	1,376	1,214
Scotland	1,912	1,978	2,115
North West	2,235	1,934	1,732
Total	12,041	10,984	10,310
¹ The figures given relate to the Employment Department's Employment Service regions which do not equate to the Standard Economic Regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, by region, how many persons aged 16 and 17 years were in receipt of bridging allowance at the mid point of August, September and October.

Figures for the number of young people in receipt of bridging allowance by region for August and September are provided in the table. Figures for October are not yet available.

Numbers of receipt of bridging allowance
Region¹	August (10 August 1989)	September (14 September 1989)
East Midlands and Eastern	922	878
West Midlands	1,141	960
Wales	630	514
London and South East	1,400	1,354
South West	464	466
Northern	876	640
Yorkshire and Humberside	1,276	1,103
Scotland	1,701	1,556
North West	1,851	1,639
Total	10,261	9,110
¹The figures given relate to the Employment Department's Employment Service regions which do not equate to the Standard Economic Regions.

Child Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for work force child care.

The Government believe that child care is a matter for parental choice and that it is best left to employers and employees to decide which arrangements for combining work and family responsibilities best suit their individual needs and resources.The Government take every opportunity to encourage employers to adopt flexible working practices, including assistance with child care and the introduction of flexible working hours and family leave.Workplace nurseries are one possible way of helping parents with child care, but may not always be the most practicable solution. Other possibilities include help with child care costs in the local home area and rearrangement of working hours and holidays to fit in with school hours and terms.

The Government have also taken steps to encourage the growth of child care provision to assist working parents through the ministerial group on women's issues of which I am a member. The group recently announced a five-point plan designed to pave the way for the provision of child care to suit family needs. Work on this plan is progressing.

Labour Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many men aged 45 to 65 years there are (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Scotland, (c) in full-time employment in the United Kingdom, (d) in full-time employment in Scotland, (e) in part-time employment in the United Kingdom, (f) in part-time employment in Scotland, (g) registered as unemployed in

Table 1
Men and women aged 45–64 years inclusive—United Kingdom and Scotland
Spring 1988
Thousands
	Men		Women
	United Kingdom	Scotland	United Kingdom	Scotland
All aged 45–64 years inclusive	5,943	525	6,135	575
Of which:
in full-time¹ employment	4,228	345	1,439	142
in part-time¹ employment	156	13	1,660	132
¹ Based on the respondent's hour assessment, not on the number of hours usually worked.

Source:Preliminary 1988 LFS estimates.

The number of men and women aged 45 to 64 years inclusive, who were unemployed and claiming benefit on

Table 2
Unemployed¹ men and women aged 45–64 years inclusive—United Kingdom and Scotland
13 July 1989
	Men		Women
	United Kingdom	Scotland	United Kingdom	Scotland
All unemployed aged 45–64 years inclusive	363,448	42,890	126,056	16,116
Of which:
unemployed 52 weeks or less	150,551	15,905	56,589	7,390
unemployed over 52 weeks up to 104 weeks	46,113	5,686	18,755	2,494
unemployed over 104 weeks up to 156 weeks	33,257	3,863	11,243	1,492
unemployed over 156 weeks up to 208 weeks	27,805	3,245	9,468	1,166
unemployed over 208 weeks	105,722	14,191	30,001	3,574
¹ People claiming benefit at UBO's on the day of the monthly count, who on that day were unemployed and able and willing to do any suitable work.

Mr. Allen McKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in the Barnsley metropolitan district there were in (a) full-time employment, (b) part-time employment and (c) temporary employment for each year from 1979 (i) by gender and (ii) as a percentage of all employees in (x) manufacturing industry and (y) the service sector industry.

Employees in employment¹ in the Barnsley metropolitan district²
		September 1981		September 1984		September 1987
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1980	Divisions of SIC	Number (thousand)	Per cent.³	Number (thousand)	Per cent.³	Number (thousand)	Per cent.³
Manufacturing industries	2–4	19·2	24·5	16·5	22·6	17·3	25·7
Male full-time		10·1	12·8	8·9	12·2	9·2	13·7
Male part-time		0·1	0·2	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1

the United Kingdom and Scotland and (h) unemployed for one year, two years, three years and four or more years in the United Kingdom and Scotland;

(2) how many women aged 45 to 65 years there are (a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Scotland, (c) in full-time employment in the United Kingdom, (d) in full-time employment in Scotland, (e) in part-time employment in the United Kingdom, (f) in part-time employment in Scotland, (g) registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom and Scotland and (h)unemployed for one year, two years, three years or four or more years in the United Kingdom and Scotland.

Estimates from the preliminary results of the 1988 labour force survey (LFS), of the number of men and women aged 45 to 64 years inclusive, as requested in (a) to (f) of the questions, are shown in table 1.13 July 1989, as requested in

(g) and (h) of the questions, are shown in table2.

[holding answer 20 October 1989]: The available employee estimates for the area are from the censuses of employment taken in September 1981, September 1984 and September 1987 and are given in the table.

		September 1981		September 1984		September 1987
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 1980	Divisions of SIC	Number (thousand)	Per cent.³	Number (thousand)	Per cent.³	Number (thousand)	Per cent.³
Female full-time		6·9	8·7	6·0	8·2	6·5	9·6
Female part-time		2·1	2·7	1·5	2·1	1·5	2·2
Service industries	6–9	34·2	43·6	35·4	48·6	37·7	55·9
Male full-time		12·0	15·2	12·9	17·8	13·2	19·5
Male part-time		1·4	1·8	1·4	2·0	2·5	3·8
Female full-time		9·6	12·2	9·8	13·5	9·7	14·4
Female part-time		11·3	14·4	11·2	15·4	12·3	18·2
All industries and services	0–9	78·5	100·0	72·8	100·0	67·5	100·0
Male full-time		45·8	58·3	41·5	57·0	33·9	50·3
Male part-time		1·6	2·1	1·6	2·2	2·8	4·1
Female full-time		17·3	22·1	16·7	22·9	16·7	24·8
Female part-time		13·7	17·5	13·0	17·9	14·0	20·8
¹ Excludes the self-employed and members of Her Majesty's Forces: employees in temporary employment are included but are not separately identified in the census; part-time workers are defined as those working not more than 30 hours a week.
²The district is defined in terms of ward boundaries as at 1981.
³ Percentage of all industries and services total.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report all parliamentary constituencies in which the number of people out of work and claiming benefit declined between August 1984 and August 1989 by 70 per cent. or more, giving (a) the percentage decline, (b) the numbers claiming such benefit in August 1984 and (c) the numbers claiming such benefit in August of the current year.

Between August 1984 and August 1989 the number of unemployed claimants fell by 70 per cent. or

Parliamentary constituencies
Unemployed claimants
Constituency name	August 1984	August 1989	Change	Percentage change
Wantage	2,391	601	-1,790	-74·86
Horsham	2,180	572	-1,608	-73·76
Henley	2,020	540	-1,480	-73·27
Shoreham	2,053	550	-1,503	-73·21
Reading West	3,334	894	-2,440	-73·19
South West Bedfordshire	3,766	1,044	-2,722	-72·28
Mid Sussex	1,991	553	-1,438	-72·23
Witney	2,646	760	-1,886	-71·28
Milton Keynes	6,750	1,956	-4,794	-71·02
North West Hampshire	2,361	697	-1,664	-70·48
Newbury	2,650	783	-1,867	-70·45
North West Surrey	2,356	704	-1,652	-70·12
Corby	5,914	1,771	-4,143	-70·05

Training And Enterprise Councils

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made in establishing training and enterprise councils in the south-east; and if he will make a statement.

I have been very encouraged by the excellent response from employers in the south-east and throughout the country since we issued the invitation to form training and enterprise councils (TECs).Some 40 groups of senior employers from around the country have applied for development funding of which six are from employer groups in the south-east.

Unfair Dismissal

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any proposals to bring forward relating to mandatory reinstatement of those employees found to be unfairly dismissed.

more in 13 parliamentary constituencies. The table lists the constituencies concerned showing the numbers of unemployed claimants in August 1984 and 1989 along with the percentage changes. The figures are affected by the change in the compilation of the count in March 1986 to reduce over-recording and by the change of coverage from September 1988 resulting from changes in benefit regulations affecting people aged under 18 years. Direct comparisons cannot therefore be made.

I have no such proposals.

Yts

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what further steps he proposes to take to assist those persons aged 16 and 17 years who are still unable to secure places on the YTS scheme because no suitable places are available.

Current arrangements to ensure that the Government's guarantee is delivered have achieved their objective. Any individual cases of difficulty should be brought to the attention of the Training Agency which will take whatever steps are necessary to provide a place suited to a young person's needs and abilities.

Restart

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in the most recent 12-month period, how many claimants called for Restart interview have failed to attend their interview; how many of those failing to attend are believed to have found work; how many of those failing to attend have not found work; how many failing to attend have had their benefit stopped and how many of these have successfully appealed against the benefit decision; and how many failing to attend have subsequently re-registered as unemployed.

Between August 1988 and August 1989 a total of 3,033,000 people were called in for Restart interview of which 316,400 were referred to unemployment benefit offices for failing to attend that interview. A total of 28,000 (8·8 per cent.) of these had their benefits or credits disallowed.The other information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why it was decided to exclude from the questionnaires to be completed by those attending Restart interviews any specific questions regarding any university degree or professional qualification which the interviewee may have.

Question 4 of the employment interview form collects details of the most commonly held qualifications. It is limited in order to keep the form to a reasonable length. Question 5 contains a space which enables interviewees to insert any qualifications held which are not already included on the form that will help them in their search for work. Degree or professional qualifications can be shown in this space.

Employment Training

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the revised numbers of approved places allocated under employment training; what are the area budgets for the programme; and what are the allocations of supplementary grant, for each training agency area.

Up to 265,000 Employment Training (ET) places have been allocated for 1989–90. Following the annual round of recontracting, regions and areas are currently revising their detailed plans of numbers of places, of budgets, and of supplementary grants for ET in the light of these new contracts.

Health And Safety Executive

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those in the following Civil Service grades in his Department possess a formal professional management qualification: (a) members of the Health and Safety executive management board, (b) higher executive officers, (c) senior executive officers,(d)principals, (e)senior principals and (f)all grades above senior principal.

Our records show that one of the 11 members of the Health and Safety Executive management board holds a professional management qualification. To supply the information regarding administration group grades for higher executive officer and above would entail disproportionate cost.

Hazardous Substances

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are being taken to monitor and enforce the operation of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

The Health and Safety Executive and local authorities will enforce the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations and monitor the implementation through their normal inspection arrangements. There will be an evaluation of the impact of the regulations in 1991.

Toxic Substances

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what toxic substances were contained in a shipment of copper hydroxide sludge received by Wath Recycling Company from the FMC Corporation of the United States of America; and to what health risks those (a) employed in this plant and (b) in the neighbouring communities were exposed.

[holding answer 19 October 1989]: The Health and Safety Executive's analysis of the copper hydroxide sludge showed that Xylene, 2, 3,—dihydro-2, 2—dimethy1 benzofuran, and chlorinated phenolic compounds were present.Xylene is a skin and eye irritant, which can affect the liver and cause loss of consciousness when concentrations are high. It is not a carcinogen. No documented toxicological data is available for 2, 3—Dihydro—2, 2—dimethyl benzofuran but related substances are known to be either carcinogenic to animals and possibly humans or toxic. Chlorinated phenolic compounds are toxic and possibly carcinogenic.The Health and Safety Executive considered that whilst the bulk stack of sludge was left undisturbed there was unlikely to be any significant risk to people on or off site. This risk would increase during the process of repacking, but Health and Safety Executive inspectors ensured that suitable precautions were taken by both employees and the neighbouring communities.

Defence

Department-Industry Links

17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures his Department undertakes for staff interchanges with industry.

We attach considerable importance to the benefits of staff interchages with industry and this is underscored by our very successful secondment programme which is the largest in the Civil Service—in 1988 we achieved our best ever total of 221 secondments to and from industry. Additionally, we have also recently established seven non-executive directorships for senior staff with non-defence related companies.

Low Flying

18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his NATO allies concerning possible height restrictions on low flying.

22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his NATO allies concerning possible height restrictions on low flying.

30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his NATO allies concerning possible height restrictions on low flying.

96.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his NATO allies concerning possible height restrictions on low flying.

My right hon. Friend has had discussions with those NATO allies involved about a package of measures designed to reduce the impact of low-flying training in the Federal Republic of Germany. The outcome of these discussions, which concerned among other subjects the height at which training was undertaken, was reported to the Bundestag by the Federal German Minister of Defence, Dr. Stoltenberg, on 29 September 1989 and a translation of this report has been placed in the Library.

87.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to amend the rules governing low-flying military activity in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

There are no plans to alter the fundamental structure of the United Kingdom low-flying system which has worked well since its inception in 1979.

Frigates

19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress made in ordering the latest batch of type 23 frigates.

We are currently evaluating and clarifying tenders received from Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd. and VSEL/Cammell Laird for the construction of up to four type 23 frigates. I would hope to announce the outcome of this competition by the end of the year.

Nato Secretary General

20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to meet the Secretary General of NATO; and what subjects he proposes to discuss with him.

I hope to meet Dr. Woerner this evening at the nuclear planning group meeting in Portugal. We will discuss a range of matters concerning nuclear issues.

Troop Numbers

21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the British Army of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on troop numbers.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney).

United States Defence Secretary

23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his United States counterpart; and what issues were discussed.

29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his United States counterpart; and what issues were discussed.

95.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his United States counterpart; and what issues were discussed.

10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his United States counterpart; and what issues were discussed.

I hope to meet Mr. Cheney for the first time later today, at the meeting of the nuclear planning group in Portugal. We will be discussing a wide range of matters of mutual interest, both at the NPG and during Mr. Cheney's subsequent visit to the United Kingdom.

Nato (Southern Flank)

24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions have taken place within NATO regarding its southern flank; and what proposals are currently being considered.

Matters affecting the southern flank are kept under constant review within NATO.

Defence Studies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether non-provocative defence is studied at the service colleges.

46.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether non-provocative defence is studied at the service colleges.

38.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much time is allocated in the service colleges to defence studies.

25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent NATO's strategy of flexible response is studied at the service colleges.

I assume that my hon. Friends are referring to the Royal College of Defence Studies, the Joint Service Defence College and the three single-service staff colleges. Their syllabuses are concerned with matters relating to defence, including the strategic political, economic and social factors that bear upon it. It is appropriate that considerable emphasis is placed upon study of the United Kingdom's and NATO's defence policies, including the strategy of flexible response which underpins those policies, but students are also given an insight into alternative policies and strategies. There is insufficient time, however, for the detailed study of specific alternatives such as so-called non-provocative defence.

Conventional Forces (Limitation)

26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part his Department is playing in the CFL negotiations.

33.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part his Department is playing in the CFL negotiations.

76.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part his Department is playing in the conventional forces limitation negotiations.

The Ministry of Defence is playing a full part in the United Kingdom's contribution to the conventional armed forces in Europe talks now under way in Vienna.

Demography

27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the effects of demographic changes upon Her Majesty's Government's defence policy.

65.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the effects of demographic changes upon Her Majesty's Government's defence policy.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Manchester, Central (Mr. Litherland) and for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths).

We177 Bomb

28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in his plans for modernising the Royal Air Force's WE177.

The studies into a number of options for the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall bomb are continuing. It is not yet possible to forecast when a decision may be taken.

32.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with the West German Government about the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

61.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with the West German Government about the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

98.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with the West German Government about the possible replacement of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

None.

Women Personnel

31.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his Department intends increasing the role of women in the services.

The services are implementing a number of proposals, and are considering others, to increase significantly the range of duties that may be undertaken by women, subject to the Government's policy of not employing them in direct combat roles.

Defence Exports

34.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs are currently directly and indirectly supported by defence exports.

I refer my hon. Friend to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989" (Cm. 675–11, volume 2, table 6·8).

Combat Aircraft

35.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the Royal Air Force of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on numbers of combat aircraft.

44.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the Royal Air Force of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on numbers of combat aircraft.

72.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the Royal Air Force of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on numbers of combat aircraft.

93.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the Royal Air Force of the proposals tabled in Vienna for ceilings on numbers of combat aircraft.

It is too early to say what the effect of any agreement on conventional forces in Europe would be on the forces of particular states.

Tornado

36.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative figures he has for the accident rates for Tornado aircraft for each of the European countries which operate these aircraft.

57.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative figures he has for the accident rates for Tornado aircraft for each of the European countries which operate these aircraft.

75.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative figures he has of the accident rates for Tornado aircraft for each of the European countries which operate these aircraft.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths).

Disaster Relief

39.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the services have taken this year in disaster relief operations.

So far in 1989, the principal contribution to disaster relief overseas by the armed forces has been in the eastern Caribbean in September, dealing with the effects of Hurricane Hugo. HMS Alacrity and RFA Brambleleaf were delployed to the striken region where they carried out and co-ordinated relief operations in Montserrat and on neighbouring islands. An RAF Hercules was used to fly in a disaster relief team of Royal Engineers together with stores from the garrison in Belize. Hercules aircraft also undertook a regular shuttle of stores from Antigua to Montserrat and transported elements of the Bermuda Defence Regiment to assist with relief work in the British Virgin Islands.The armed forces have also provided support to the civil emergency authorities in the United Kingdom. After the tragic air disasters at Lockerbie and Kegworth all three services rendered assistance. At Lockerbie, up to 500 personnel per day were involved in the operation to recover bodies and search for wreckage during the period December 1988—January 1989. Similar assistance was given at Kegworth in January 1989 but on a smaller scale.

Nuclear Missiles

40.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the Government's modernisation programme for short-range nuclear missiles.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies) on 14 June at column 478.

Nuclear Weapons (Carriage By Sea)

41.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the efficiency of current technology to ascertain whether nuclear weapons are being carried at sea.

85.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the efficiency of current technology to ascertain whether nuclear weapons are being carried at sea.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Loyden).

Stand-Off Missiles

42.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about stand-off missiles.

69.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about stand-off missiles.

74.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart about stand-off missiles.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Redcar (Ms. Mowlam).

Service Accommodation

43.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need to upgrade service accommodation.

56.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need to upgrade service accommodation.

59.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need to upgrade service accommodation.

67.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need to upgrade service accommodation.

The need to upgrade service accommodation, brought about by the continuing aging process and the ongoing and comparatively recent changes to enhance accommodation standards, is assessed by the three services and the Property Services Agency. Each service operates a rolling programme of modernisation for single living accommodation and married quarters and provision is made within the Defence Estimates for this purpose. In order to enhance the present rate of modernisation a further £260 million has been provided over the next 10 years.

Nato Defence Ministers

45.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when was the last meeting of NATO Defence Ministers; and what matters were discussed.

NATO Defence Ministers are meeting at the nuclear planning group in Portugal today to discuss a range of nuclear issues.

Nato (Out-Of-Area Capability)

47.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what part the United Kingdom armed forces play in NATO's out-of-area capability.

100.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's armed forces role in NATO's out-of-area capability.

NATO has no out-of-area role. The United Kingdom's armed forces do, however, maintain an out-of-area capability, as described in successive "Statements on the Defence Estimates."

Soviet Navy

48.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its naval capability.

90.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its naval capability.

There is no evidence to suggest that the Soviet Union is reducing its naval capability. Despite the announced intention to cut Soviet military spending, the pace of modernisation in the Soviet Navy continues unabated in all the key areas of capability.

Environmental Protection

49.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to ensuring that the activities pursued by his Department have minimal adverse effect upon the natural environment.

52.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to ensuring that the activities pursued by his Department have minimal adverse effect upon the natural environment.

63.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to ensuring that the activities pursued by his Department have minimal adverse effect upon the natural environment.

68.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to ensuring that the activities pursued by his Department have minimal adverse effect upon the natural environment.

The Ministry of Defence has long recognised the importance of policies which respect the environment whilst meeting operational needs. I would in particular refer the hon. Members to the reply my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces gave on 9 May at column 418 to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Patnick).

Chemical Weapons

50.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its chemical warfare capability.

83.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its chemical warfare capacity.

We have no evidence that the Soviet Union is reducing its chemical warfare capability.

Warsaw Pact

51.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Warsaw pact has reduced its capability to undertake surprise large-scale offensive operations.

99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has any evidence that the Warsaw pact has reduced its capability to undertake surprise, large-scale offensive operations.

Some of the unilateral force withdrawals announced by Gorbachev and other Warsaw pact leaders have now been completed. However, we have no evidence that the Warsaw pact has reduced its ability to undertake large-scale offensive operations, even though the element of surprise which they could achieve may have been reduced.

91.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the conventional forces limitation negotiations will reduce the Warsaw pact's capability to undertake surprise, large-scale offensive operations.

A successful outcome to the negotiations on conventional armed forces in Europe will achieve a stable and secure balance at lower levels of forces, as well as the elimination of disparities and the capacity for launching surprise attack and large-scale offensive action.

Nuclear Test Veterans

53.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further considerations he has given to compensation arrangements for nuclear test veterans and their dependants.

77.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to compensation arrangements for nuclear test veterans and their dependants.

79.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to compensation arrangements for nuclear test veterans and their dependants.

82.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to compensation arrangements for nuclear test veterans and their dependants.

We will pay compensation where there is firm evidence to show that participants in the United Kingdom nuclear test programme suffered ill-health as a result of exposure to radiation during the course of their duties. There are no plans to give further consideration to these compensation arrangements.

Nuclear Depth Charges

55.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has reached about the possible replacement of the Royal Navy's nuclear depth charges.

No decisions have yet been taken. The studies related to modernising the United Kingdom's theatre nuclear weapons capability are still continuing. Within these studies consideration is being given to the replacement of the full spectrum of United Kingdom tactical nuclear weapons, including sea-based systems.

European Fighter Aircraft

58.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been reached on the development contract for the European fighter aircraft radar.

103.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been reached on the development contract for the European fighter aircraft radar.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Romsey and Waterside (Mr. Colvin).

Nuclear Submarines

60.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about his Department's plans for the decommissioning of nuclear submarines.

89.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about his Department's plans for the decommissioning of nuclear submarines.

I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Motherwell, North (Dr. Reid).

109.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from Strathclyde regional council in the past month about the continued positioning of nuclear armed submarines on the Clyde.

I am not aware of any.

Territorial Army

62.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any intention of increasing the size of the Territorial Army.

We continue to keep this matter under review as part of the continuing overview of our overall defence effort. It remains our intention to expand the Territorial Army to the strengths already announced in "Defence Open Government Document 84/02", a copy of which is held in the Library. All of the new units planned—which include six infantry battalions—have formed and are recruiting.

81.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the result to date of the current recruitment drive for the Territorial Army.

37.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the result to date of the current recruitment drive for the Territorial Army.

102.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the result to date of the current recruitment drive for the Territorial Army.

It must be stressed that the current volunteer reserve forces campaign has as its prime aim improving retention in the reserve forces, although we would expect to see some measure of spin-off on recruitment. Given the nature of the campaign, we do not yet have a sufficient spread of data to provide a statistical measure of any improvements. Nevertheless, the response from companies, trade organisations and individuals has been most encouraging.

Falkland Islands

64.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends reviewing Her Majesty's Government's military commitment to the Falkland Islands.

The Government remain committed to defend the Falkland Islanders' right to live in peace and security under a government of their own choosing. We keep the level of our military commitment to the Falkland Islands under constant review. We are satisfied that the garrison remains adequate for the present.

Deptartmental Assets

70.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any new proposals to sell assets currently owned by his Department.

84.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any new proposals to sell assets currently owned by his Department.

54.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any new proposals to sell assets currently owned by his Department.

66.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any new proposals to sell assets currently owned by his Department.

We continue to pursue opportunities to dispose of land, property and material which have become surplus to our requirements and to rationalise our assets in order to provide better value for money for the taxpayer.

Soviet Nuclear Forces

71.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has made an assessment of the Soviet short-range nuclear forces capability.

An assessment of Soviet short-range nuclear capability is contained in chapter 6 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989" (Cm. 675-I). This capability has been marginally affected by force restructuring and unilateral withdrawals in Eastern Europe. The Soviets, however, continue to possess a formidable inventory of short-range nuclear-capable systems.

Gurkha Regiments

73.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to deploy Gurkha regiments to combat terrorism in Northern Ireland.

There are no current plans to deploy Gurkha infantry regiments to Northern Ireland.

Us Defence Department

78.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what subjects he expects to discuss when he next meets representatives of the United States Defence Department.

I expect to discuss a wide range of matters of mutual interest.

Reserve Forces

80.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures his Department is taking to keep people in the reserve forces.

There are a number of initiatives in train aimed at promoting retention within the reserve forces. Internal measures concentrate principally on improving the quality and interest of training, streamlining the dissemination of information to volunteers, review of a whole range of terms and conditions of service and rationalisation of the equipment programme. In the latter context, units will be re-equipped in strict accordance with role, whether they be regular or volunteer. In addition. recognising the need to harness the support of employers and family, we launched last year the volunteer reserve forces campaign, aimed at easing external pressures on volunteers by setting out in the clearest possible terms the vital role the reserve forces would be expected to play and, perhaps most importantly, highlighting the relevance of TA training to civilian life and thus drawing the attention of employers to how they can benefit from their employees in reserve forces activities.

Nuclear Weapons

86.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further studies he has conducted of the consequences for NATO's strategy of flexible response to the removal of all nuclear weapons.

106.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what further studies his Department has conducted of the consequences for British defence policy of the abandonment of all nuclear weapons.

At the Brussels summit in May all NATO Heads of Government agreed that for the foreseeable future there was no alternative to the Alliance strategy of deterrence, and that this strategy required a mix of nuclear forces, including Europe-based ground-launched missiles. Given this, there is no reason to conduct any studies related to the removal of all nuclear weapons.

F111 Aircraft

88.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions the NATO nuclear planning group has had concerning the possible deployment of additional F111 aircraft.

92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions the NATO nuclear planning group has had concerning the possible deployment of additional F111 aircraft.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn).

United Nations Peacekeeping Forces

94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are currently serving with United Nations peacekeeping forces; and in what locations.

Currently 714 British service personnel are serving with the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Cyprus and 113 with the United Nations transition advisory group in Namibia, although this is not, strictly speaking, a peacekeeping force. There are also 37 British service personnel serving with the multinational force and observers group in Sinai, which is a multinational peacekeeping force not under United Nations control.In addition to the provision of personnel, considerable logistic support is given to multinational peacekeeping operations. The sovereign base areas in Cyprus are used to provide logistic support for the multinational force and observers group in Sinai, the United Nations interim force in Lebanon and the United Nations disengagement observer force in the Golan Heights.

Nato (Central Front)

97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any proposals to alter the current force-to-space ratio on NATO's central front.

NATO's forces in the central region are kept under constant review within the normal force planning cycle. In due course, the Alliance may need to take account of any changes in force structures agreed as a result of the current negotiations on conventional forces in Europe.

Cavalry Officers

101.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the importance of horsemanship skills for cavalry officers.

Good equestrian skills are essential for all cavalry officers in units which have a mounted ceremonial role.

Trident

104.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends altering the Trident programme.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Powell).

Crown Proceedings Act

105.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the annual number of service people likely to benefit financially from the repeal of section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act; and at what annual cost.

Since the repeal in May 1987 of section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947, we have received more than 700 claims. Of these, about 100 have so far been settled at a cost of around £550,000. A further 450 cases are still under consideration. It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of either the annual number of service people likely to benefit from the repeal, or the cost to the Department.

Fishing Boat—Submarine Incidents

107.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received about incidents involving fishing boats and submarines; and what action he is taking.

My Department has received a number of letters from fishermen's organisations and from other interested groups or individuals about various incidents in which submarines are alleged to have been involved. Though naval vessels have been involved in only a small number of incidents, the Royal Navy regards the avoidance by submarines of fishing vessels and their nets as a matter of considerable importance and is establishing closer links with fishermen's associations in order to promote mutual understanding. The Navy is also actively investigating methods of reducing the likelihood of such incidents.

Tanks

110.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the numbers of battle tanks, in the European theatre, of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Warsaw pact forces; and if he will make a statement.

The numbers of main battle tanks of NATO and Warsaw pact in the European theatre are shown in the 1989 "Statement on Defence Estimates", as 16,400 for NATO and 51,500 for the Warsaw pact.

Recruitment

108.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the rate of recruitment for the armed forces.

Total recruitment into the armed forces in 1988–89 was a little above the level achieved in the previous year, though it fell short of the targets set. This year we are taking measures to stimulate recruitment, including greater expenditure on advertising, some changes to entry requirements and the opening up of additional areas of employment to women. In addition a wide range of measures are being taken to improve retention.

Procurement (Savings)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for further savings on his budget for defence procurements.

We will continue to seek value for money through a commercial approach to procurement, including the use of competition to the maximum extent possible. Potential savings or additions to the programme itself are considered each year as part of the long-term costing process.

Procurement Project Managers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many procurement project managers are in post; what are their grades; what salaries attach to each grade; and where is the work location of each.

There are 153 project managers in post in the equipment procurement branches of the Procurement Executive. The civilian project managers are in unified grade 6, while their military equivalents are captain (RN), colonel and group captain. Their current salary scales are:

	£ per annum
Unified Grade 6	¹21,633–28,170
Captain RN	32,346–33,196
Colonel and Group Captain	32,346–35,748
¹ Under review.

Additional allowances are payable in London, and civilian staff may receive additions to their salary for consistent good performance. The main work locations are London (86 staff), Bath (38), Weymouth (13) and Portsmouth (13).

Collaborative Projects

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value to United Kingdom companies or research bodies of the collaborative projects set out in table 6, page 32 of Cm. 675-I; and what was the proportion expended in (a) Scotland and (b)s south-east England.

In 1989–90 the proportion of the United Kingdom equipment budget spent on collaborative projects, including contracts placed with United Kingdom industry, was about 15 per cent. of the total £8,258 million. The further information requested could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

Raf Chivenor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will take steps to ensure that helicopters with search and rescue night flying capacity are stationed at RAF Chivenor;(2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that helicopters with a search and rescue night flying capacity are stationed at RAF Chivenor.

We have no plans to do so.

Warsaw Pact Helicopters

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of current Warsaw pact helicopter capability for offensive warfare.

The Warsaw pact has a large fleet of helicopters, about 4,000 in Europe alone, most of which can be armed with a variety of weapons systems. They could present a formidable offensive threat when used as part of a combined arms operation.

Marilyn Report

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has now taken in the light of the recommendations of the Marilyn report.

Work continues on a number of measures aimed at improving recruitment and retention in the Army. I told the House during the Army debate on 8 June 1989, at column 389, that additional funds have been devoted to recruitment publicity. This has resulted in a welcome increase in both inquiries and applications.Work continues in a variety of areas described in the Marilyn report, for example the introduction of a remedial physical development course has enabled over 200 recruits, who would otherwise have failed to meet Army fitness standards, to complete their basic training and begin Army careers.We have also successfully introduced a policy facilitating transfers between corps and regiments. The number of servicemen who were unhappy in their original choice of arm and have opted to transfer within the Army rather than to leave altogether has risen by almost 26 per cent.The Army has decided to expand significantly the role of women. This could in due course result in up to 10,000 regular and reserve posts currently filled by men becoming available to women for the first time. The measures will provide the opportunity for women to join regiments and corps which until now have been all male.

Warsaw Pact (Military Observers)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what results during the last five years have been obtained by British military observers in Warsaw pact countries, under the auspices of the Stockholm agreement.

The Stockholm document was signed in September 1986 and came into force on 1 January 1987. Our experience has been that Warsaw pact exercises have been in compliance with the provisions of the Stockholm document.

Nato Nuclear Planning Group

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the NATO nuclear planning group last met; and what items were on the agenda.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms. Ruddock).

Channel Tunnel

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his assessment of the defence implications of the construction of the Channel tunnel.

The Channel tunnel is not at present included in our reinforcement plans, which continue to be based on the use of ferries with a line of communication through the low countries. The tunnel itself does not in our view pose a significant threat to the security of the United Kingdom. Plans to defend it in an emergency are being drawn up.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Irradiated Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the seminar on food irradiation, sponsored by the Agriculture and Food Research Council's Institute for Food Research, held on 18 September.

The seminar was organised by the Institute of Food Research in view of the widespread current interest in food irradiation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food agreed to give the opening address. The seminar brought together United Kingdom and international experts in all aspects of the subject. Their review and evaluation of effects of the process confirmed the safety, wholesomeness—including the nutritional value—of food in line with the Government's recent decision. There was widespread acceptance of this overall conclusion and a general recognition of the useful part that food irradiation could play by killing such micro-organisms as salmonella, listeria and camplyobacter.

Farmers

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to increase the number of working farmers (a) aged under 40 years and (b) entering the industry at any age.

The numbers of those becoming working farmers is entirely a matter for individual choice in response to personal circumstances and market forces.

Straw Burning

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in the current year about straw stubble burning; and if he is proposing to take steps to ban the practice.

By 20 October 1989, I had received 508 letters covering 744 representations on straw and stubble burning. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has already announced a far-reaching review of this matter in which we will be taking account of these and all the other representations received by my Department.

Pesticides

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for which of the following pesticides he has given approval: (a) aldicarb, (b) camphechlor, (c) chlordane, (d) heptachlor, (e) chlordioleform, (f) DBCP, (g) DDT, (h) aldrin, (i) dieldrin, (j) endrin, (k) EDB, (l) HCH/BHC-olindane, (m) paraquat, (n) ethyl parathion, (o) methyl parathion, (p) pentachlorophenol and (q) 2–4–5- T; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to Her Majesty's Stationery Office reference book 500 "Pesticides 1989" which lists those pesticides approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and is available in the Library of the House.

Abattoirs

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each of the last 10 years the amount of European Community money which has been used to upgrade abattoirs; how many abattoirs have received this aid; and if he will make a statement.

It is entirely a commercial matter for the companies concerned whether or not they decide to upgrade their abattoirs. Over the last 10 years a number of red meat abattoirs have been upgraded to European Community-approved status with financial assistance from the European Community, but because of the way in which the funds are paid by the European Commission the information sought by the hon. Member is not readily available in the form requested. It will be supplied as soon as possible.

Laboratories

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the name and location of any of his laboratories he has closed since March; and if he will make a statement.

Since March to date the subordinate microbiology laboratories of the ADAS farm and countryside service at Accrington, Newcastle and Wye have closed. Arrangements are in hand to maintain a full laboratory service to the areas affected.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names and locations of the following: veterinary laboratories, including outstations and investigation centres, the Agricultural Development Advisory Service farm countryside laboratories, including the facilities for milk testing, the Agricultural Development Advisory Service research and development laboratories and fisheries research laboratories; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is as follows:

State Veterinary Service Laboratories

Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge

The Cattle Breeding Centre, Shinfield
Lasswade Veterinary Laboratory, Edinburgh

Veterinary investigation centres in England and Wales

Aberystwyth
Bangor
Bristol
Cambridge
Carmarthen
Lincoln
Newcastle
Norwich
Penrith
Preston
Reading
Shrewsbury
Starcross
Sutton Bonington
Thirsk
Truro
Winchester
Worcester
Wye

Farm and countryside service laboratories

Bristol
Caernarfon
Cambridge
Carmarthen
Evesham
Kirton
Leeds
Llanishen. Cardiff
Newcastle
Reading
Rhydymwyn
Starcross
Trawsgoed
Wye

Research and development service

The Central Science Laboratory has sites at the following locations:

Harpenden
Slough
Tolworth
Worplesdon

There are also small units at Norwich and Stroud.

Fisheries laboratories

(a) Directorate of Fisheries Research Lowestoft with outstations at:

Conway
Whitehaven
Burnham on Crouch
Weymouth

(b) Torry Research Station

Aberdeen

Food Packaging

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the research projects he is funding into the packaging of food; which of these have been identified as being near market; and if he will make a statement.

The following research projects relating to the packaging of food are currently being funded by my Department. Only projects 18 and 19 on the list are classified as near market and funding on this research will end before March 1990. The remainder will continue as necessary in line with the Government's commitment to address and resolve food safety and hygiene issues of concern to taxpayers, consumers, producers and industry.

(1) The effects of electron-beam irradiation on additives present in food contact plastics.

(2) Examination of the possibility of setting testing priorities for substances used in food contact materials.

(3) Mathematical and physical models of migration from food contact plastics.

(4) Assessment of consumer exposure to the differing types of retail packaging.

(5) Transformation of antioxidants during processing of polyolefins and subsequent migration.

(6) Feasibility study as to whether it is possible to set levels at which food contact materials become organoleptically unacceptable.

(7) Development of a simple method for the determination of fat on the surface of food.

(8) Migration from food-contact plastics (ovenable materials) at elevated temperatures.

(9) Migration from non-ovenable food contact materials at elevated temperatures.

(10) Migration testing of materials and articles intended for use in microwave ovens and combination ovens.

(11) Studies on vinyl chloride oligomers with a potential for migration into foods.

(12) Migration from metal containers into foods.

(13) Secondary interactions of species migrating into food.

(14) Development of analytical methods for substances on EC positive list of monomers for food contact materials.

(15) Feasibility of producing extracts of plastics for toxicological testing.

(16) Feasibility of setting up a reference collection of monomers and additives used in food contact plastics.

(17) Development of analytical methods for and measurement of migration of mineral hydrocarbons from food contact materials into foods.

(18) Optimum conditions for maintaining quality in packaged fruit and vegetables.

(19) Packaging Techniques for Improved Storage and Display.

Fishing Quotas

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether with reference to the interim order of the President of the European Court of Justice, Case No. 246/89R, made on 10 October, he is in a position to estimate the number of fishing vessels which are now enabled to fish under United Kingdom quotas; what their approximate share of the various quotas is likely to be; if he will list the species they may catch and in which fishing grounds they can operate; and if he will make a statement.

The European Court's order effects only the nationality criteria of part II of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988. The requirement that owners of British fishing vessels should be resident and domiciled in the United Kingdom remains, as does the need for vessels to be controlled and managed from here. We expect that these restrictions will seriously limit the number of de-registered vessels which will be able to come back on to our register and fish against our quotas.

Cash Limits

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is intended to change the cash limit on any departmental vote for which he has responsibility.

Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for Class IV, Vote 4 (other agricultural and food services and support for the fishing industry) will be increased by £300,000 from £148,631,000 to £148,931,000 to make provision for a single contribution to the International Sugar Organisation and the International Wheat Council. This contribution is being made towards a fund for stabilising rents over 10 years. The increase will be fully offset by a corresponding reduction by the Department of Trade and Industry in the cash limit for Class V, Vote 2 (support for industry (including research and development, protection of innovation, international trade, and enterprise and job creation programmes)) and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Volume 158: debated on Tuesday 24 October 1989

Written Answers To Questions

Home Department

Police (Initiation Rites)

Electronic Tagging

Consumers' Rights

Departmental Staff

Trade And Industry

Pistons (Imports)

Shipbuilding

Refrigerators

Industry Council

German Democratic Republic (Imports)

Wales

Health Service

Roads

Energy

Nuclear Accident, Kyshtym

Oil Companies (Ministerial Meetings)

Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament

Oldbury

Plutonium

Magnox Power Stations

Colliery Closures

Oil And Pipelines Agency

Overseas Development

Nicaragua

Northern Ireland

Rail Link (Belfast To Dundonald)

Northern Ireland Assembly

Ulster Defence Regiment

Attorney-General

Republic Of Ireland (Extradition)

Father Patrick Ryan

Croydon Court Centre

County Courts (Midland And Oxford Circuit)

Prime Minister

Energy Conservation

East Germany

Ussr

Environmental Policy

Water Industry

Local Government (London)

Hungary

Poland

Llanfihangel-Y-Fedw

Nuclear Waste

Steel Industry

Cyprus

Economy

Federal Republic Of Germany

Lancashire

Engagements

House Of Commons

Division Bells

Bills (Timetables)

Security Passes

Education And Science

Under-Fives

Teacher Vacancies

Overseas Teachers

Teacher Shortages (South Yorkshire)

Institute Of Food Research

Student Loans (Northern Ireland)

Teachers' Pay

Teacher Training

Assisted Places

Student Accommodation

Mandatory Grants

Lithotriptor Centre

Scotland

Housing

Loan Charges

Capital Debt

Bracken

Untreated Sewage

Forestry

Dyslexia

Historic Monuments